A sturdy wilful child, Madeline Green adores her father, her hero, her Ted. When he dies, Madeline, still in her teens, stumbles forward into life with one burning ambition - to paint. She makes friends with Annie and her wayward husband, Willie. She finds solace in her relationship with Stuart, her soulmate, and moves into his dilapidated country house. Living removed from the world, Madeline's aspirations seem to slip away.

Seeking release from her frustrated desires by painting her dreams, her turbulent wild imaginings whilst sleeping, Madeline, at last, discovers the true Madeline, and finds recognition. Or rather, recognition finds her. And she realises that life is not a straight path from childhood to her goals. It is her mistakes, wrong turnings, her misunderstandings, distractions and absurdities that make her "The me I am."