With her mother Sam suffering from a depressive mental illness, 11 year old Holly learns to fend for herself. She is befriended by Andre, a Congolese boy who saves her from bullies and delights her with his colourful paintings. He gives Holly a beautiful red dress but this is a farewell present as he is returning to Africa. However, as Sam's condition worsens and Holly gets a new home, she has Andre's paintings to cheer her up and remind her of their friendship.
