Lingmere Zoo in the north of England is about to close. A home for the zoo's twin lions, Lorna and Ellen, must be found - or else they will be put down. The newspapers take up the cause and a sanctuary in Africa is found that will care for the lions until they are able to fend for themselves. But on the way, Lorna bolts and Ellen is off to Africa on her own. Colin Dann's tale follows the fate of both animals on either side of the world - Ellen's lonliness and confusion is a new home, in a new country, without her beloved sister; and Lorna's adventures as she gains in confidence and discovers her true nature roaming the English countryside.