Just released from prison, a young woman arrives in town to "start a new life", but soon begins stalking a married construction worker for no apparent reason, turning his life inside out and eventually terrorizing him and his wife.

Emily has just been released from prison after "four thousand three hundred eight days" (just under twelve years) and is trying to eke out a new life albeit on her own terms. As such, she will both not take guff from people, especially if she doesn't like them, and use others for her own goals. That new life includes working at a discount store, Mr. Nudd, her boss, who is the son of one of her prison colleagues, and renting an apartment where she turns to her landlord, Pike, a police officer in his day job, in her times of emotional and practical need. However, she spends most of her time secretly stalking and harassing the Currys, husband and wife Neil and Barbara. That harassment is benign enough at the beginning, such as telephoning them and hanging up, but becomes increasingly brazen, open and imposing. The reality is is that Neil is her ex-husband, something that Barbara does not know. Emily's appearance adds extra stress to the Currys' already troubled marriage. Emily and Neil's history is even more complex as Emily's incarceration is tied to Neil. Emily's actions are an effort to ingratiate herself in his life, again solely on her own terms toward an end goal.—Huggo