Vittorio decides to remodel the outside and the roof of the house where he lives with Irene, his young daughter, and where his companion Marisa will soon join them. One day a letter arrives announcing the return of Paolo, Irene’s big brother. Paolo has been away for a long time, following a painful event that Vittorio doesn’t like to think about. Irene enthusiastically prepares her brother’s room. Domenico, the young assistant to the head builder, watches. He doesn’t spare Irene his furtive glances. Paolo’s greatly-awaited return makes both father and daughter try to reconstruct the appearance of their relative and the different meanings he has for both of them.