After nine long years of absence, Jacques now in his fifties, returns to France for his fathers funeral and tries to get back into his former lovers life Mado. Now married and mother of a seven year old boy Paul, Mado is suspicious of resuming ties with Jacques. However the couple's past relationship is tainted with the loss of their four year-old child in a terrible accident. The pain of their sons death inevitably led to the couples split all those years ago.
Now affection begins to grow between Jacques and little Paul eventually disturbing Mado. After helping Paul fix his bike in basement of the apartment block where he lives, Jacques discovers a box of toys that belonged to his dead son. In an attempt to become closer to Paul and Mado, and despite the presence of a husband, Jacques moves into the basement.