Newlyweds Guy and Harriet Pringle arrive in Bucharest, as does the impoverished Prince Yakimov, who takes a temporary job as a journalist for a British newspaper to save himself from destitution. Harriet is introduced to her fellow expatriates (befriending the middle-class Bella, who has married a wealthy local) and to Guy's Romanian friend and admirer Sophie. Their peace is interrupted by the assassination of Romanian PM Călinescu and Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland. Rumours fly of a German invasion of Romania, and Guy, though absorbed in his work and organising social events, is concerned about the family of Jewish student Sasha Drucker, given the antisemitic Romanian regime.

Commander Sheppey holds a clandestine meeting to plot against the authorities. Guy, guilty about not being on active service, is determined to be productive. When he cancels a lunch arrangement with Harriet, she worries over his whereabouts. One of his colleagues, Clarence Lawson, entertains a lonely Harriet. Concern for the Drucker family intensifies when they go missing. When Guy and Harriet spend a weekend in the mountains, the feckless Yakimov is left looking after their flat, with tragic consequences. Guy has ambitious plans to stage a production of Troilus and Cressida but casting causes dissent. During the after-show celebration, British envoy Dobson makes a disturbing announcement about the political situation. The Pringles find Sasha Drucker, now in desperate need of their assistance.

The fascist Iron Guard increase their power and the British fall out of favour with the Romanians. Sasha remains in hiding with the Pringles' home and becomes friends with Harriet. Sophie attempts to lure Guy to her apartment, and he finally sees through her manipulations. Another expat, Toby Lush, arrives, seeking work at the university. Yakimov risks his life for a good meal and a bottle of wine. Dobson announces that the British Legation recommends that everyone return home to mixed results Due to Yakimov's impropriety, Guy finds himself a wanted man. Harriet attends Mr Drucker's trial but has difficulty giving a true account of events. Tension mounts as the fascists take over, and the Pringles, with Lawson',$ help, try to smuggle Sasha to safety. In the midst of chaos, British academic Lord Pinkrose arrives to give a lecture. As the violence escalates, the expats plan their escape routes.

A despondent Harriet arrives in Athens, where she's overjoyed to see Yakimov at a cafe. They find employment at the British Information Office but the mood sours when Pinkrose arrives. Harriet meets soldier Charles Warden, who is quite taken with her. She considers an affair but, as she is going to his hotel room on the final afternoon before his departure, she meets Sasha on the stairs. Sasha is convinced that the Pringles turned him in; Harriet assures him they did not. The delay makes her think better of her relationship with Warden. Guy applies for a lecturing post at the English School but is dismayed to find he is not first in the queue. When Athens comes under enemy fire, Yakimov is shot dead by a sentry. The remaining group leave Athens by sea for Cairo.

After their unceremonious arrival in Cairo, the Pringles are forced to stay in an old brothel. Guy struggles to find work when it emerges that an old adversary is now in charge of the English School. When Guy has to go to Alexandria, Harriet moves into 'Garden City' with Dobson. Naive young officer Simon Boulderstone goes in search of his brother Hugo and befriends Harriet, who is also introduced to eccentric Mr Liversage, flirtatious Edwina, and authoritative Mr Clifford. The group visit and ascend the Giza and Djoser pyramids. Harriet warns Boulderstone that the Egyptians dislike the British because the British have exploited them for years for control of the Suez Canal. Boulderstone doesn't understand until he, Harriet and Mortimer, a female soldier, visit a live sex show, which leaves him disgusted. Harriet and Boulderstone also meet the Hoopers, a rich couple whose son has just been killed by a land mine. As the Germans close in, Boulderstone must leave to fight.

To help Boulderstone recover from his brother's death, he is taken under the wing of those at 'Garden City'. Guy is enthusiastic about two new teachers he has employed. Boulderstone becomes a hero in a desert skirmish and is promoted to liaison officer. Harriet stays and sees Aiden Pratt, a young officer who was once a great actor in London. She thinks he is in love with her because he implores her and Guy to come and visit him in Damascus. Harriet contracts dysentery when she comes back from Luxor and has to stay in hospital for several weeks. Guy pays her little attention and continues rehearsing his newest play. Harriet decides to go back to England. Boulderstone is being driven to his new post when the Jeep stops at a WC and his driver is killed by a hidden mine. Boulderstone's legs are temporarily paralysed as a result. Harriet leaves Guy at the zoo to board the boat alone, but, at the last minute, sees Mortimer and begs her to take her to Damascus.

As Guy struggles to cope with his presumed loss of Harriet, Boulderstone starts his painful and slow road to recovery. Harriet makes a new friend and rediscovers old ones as she takes in the sights of Damascus. Upon discovering that Guy thinks she's dead, Harriet rushes back to Egypt.