In 1951, famous, feted and a by-word for scandal, the writer Norman Douglas approaches death at his home on the island of Capri. He wants one last lunch with his friends and proteges. Invitations are sent to Graham Greene, Gracie Fields, Nancy Cunard, Harold Acton, Eric Wolton - the boy he befriended in London many years before - and to Elizabeth David, the young woman he has taught so much about the enjoyment of food.Described as 'half Roman emperor, half Roman taxi driver', Douglas has touched all of their lives: and many of them have secrets to keep. More than thirty years later the secrets begin to surface when a fishmonger fall in love with a caterer. A chance encounter with Elizabeth David makes it increasingly important that they find out exactly what happened to Eric...