Snow covers the town, and Heinz Kamp (Heinz Bennent), a widower and former bookkeeper, is unable to sleep. On one of his nocturnal walks, he meets an odd girl (Karina Fallenstein). He offers her shelter in his flat. The next day, the girl has disappeared. When Kamp comes home the following evening, the door to his flat has been broken open. Was it the girl? All he knows about her is her name: Claudia. She surprises him by turning up at his place again one evening, evidently in dire straits. Kamp helps her, but isn’t sure whether he is doing the right thing. Although he hasn’t expected anything more from life for some time, he starts developing new activities.The neighbours start to talk. Especially Herta Klose (Anke Tegtmayer), who had set great hopes in him, feels neglected. Kamp tries to find out more about Claudia,- he knows she needs money. He withdraws all of his savings, cashes in his life insurance policy and hides the money in his flat. Claudia reemerges full of energy and Kamp wavers between care and distrust, love and suspicion. But the girl’s warmth and charm arouse feelings in him. What does she want from him? Then, one day, Claudia disappears – with all of his savings. Kamp’s world comes crashing down. But then things take an unexpected turn…