Fern, the narrator of the story, is a quiet shy girl and when she is chosen to act in a film, her life faces new challenges.

She turns out to be a great success, and is admired by many of the film people who call her 'Gorgeous'. She is made to feel an outsider at school and at home her mother and father do not seem to be getting on. It is only when she learns that her dad has cancer that she takes stock and realises that all her worries about friendships are very trivial. New friends and interests come into Fern's life.

She makes a film with Kevin, the son of the producer and the operation on her father is a success.