Ever since her childhood, Johanna Seelig has lived in her family home; an old guesthouse on a lake, which she inherited with her brother. Apart from her permanent tenant Franz - a talkative, retired Professor - Johanna has no other residents and the guesthouse has been closed for many years. The inhabitants of the small village consider Johanna to be abrasive and curt, but not least since separating from her husband, she leads a reclusive life as an artist. Paul, who as a pilot is often away from home, pleads Johanna to look after his 17-year-old daughter Malu, who has been convicted after being caught stealing once again and now has to do community service in a home for the elderly, so as not to endure juvenile custody. Johanna feels obliged to fulfill her brother's plea, especially as he supports her financially with the upkeep of the large house. Malu has no choice but to move into the countryside with her taciturn aunt, far away from the city lights and her friends. The two personalities of Johanna and Malu reveal very few similarities. In time however, they get closer and both learn to accept one another and even begin to make mutual plans. Eventually, Malu gains the foothold she had always hoped for. With help from Malu and Franz, Johanna brings herself to re-open the guesthouse. But the new situation carries so much conflict potential, that the newly-found relationship with her niece threatens to fail.