Nell has accepted, at age twelve, that hers will likely be a friendless existence. She does not care for boys, or makeup, or competing to see who can eat the least - so has no hope of success at teenage girl social climbing. But then, a new girl arrives at school.

Eve has short hair like a boy's, a wicked sense of humour and an unshakable confidence that she will one day find her place in the world. The moment they meet, Nell changes her mind about the friend thing. From their childhood to their twenties and thirties, Eve and Nell will love each other and hurt each other - through teenage feuds and the chlorine-scented savagery of all-girls' schools; through long, drunken nights in scruffy share houses; through the highs and lows of coparenting a child together without being romantically involved.

But always, despite a mire of unspoken feelings and sexual confusion, they will choose each other. Again, and again. As friends, as lovers, as family.