Stella waves to Jurre as he leaves on a peace mission. She worries, but she can phone and write to him. She even fantasises about a second child. After all, he’s only gone for a few months. After Stella’s brother, who is serving with him, is killed in an ambush, Jurre comes home early, acting strangely, unapproachable, withdrawing from his friends, refusing help. The peace mission has turned into a war, but this time in the desert of Stella’s terraced house.