Ralph Diggerby, a lonely, shy, almost reclusive elderly man has moved himself into a retirement home where he is befriended by a seventeen-year-old care assistant, Jessica, who is intrigued by the lack of any photographs or family memorabilia in his room. Through her prompting and gentle teasing, Ralph slowly recalls his life story; something he has kept as a tightly closed secret; a life that was hitherto, full of regret and sadness; a life seemingly expressed only in the contents of his orangey-brown folder, and his strange aversion to eating lamb.
As their relationship blossoms, she 'adopts' him as the granddad that she has never had but always wished for; whilst Ralph realises just how much he has missed, by not having had a granddaughter of his own.
Ralph is also befriended by Everton, a kindly care worker in Downwood, the retirement home, where Ralph has come to live. And between the two of them, Everton and Jessica gradually rescue Ralph from a friendless, lonely existence to a life full of meaning, love, and family; and finally to be able to face the truth.
However, there are some things that Ralph cannot divulge even to Jessica But once having started down that road, the truth must find a way out.
In the end, love conquers all, and it is never too late...