Rosamunde Pilcher: Wechselspiel der Liebe (1994)

Dr. Hugh Kyle is worried about Tuppy Armstrong, who has pneumonia—a condition that is not without risks at her age. On this occasion, the doctor, who is friends with the elderly lady, learns that his friend Anthony Armstrong intends to get married, a prospect Tuppy is already looking forward to. Hugh Kyle is uneasy about the thought of the bride, Rose Schuster, because he does not believe she can make a man happy. Isobel Armstrong tells her nephew Anthony over the phone about his grandmother’s condition and asks him to come home for the weekend and bring Rose, as Tuppy has expressly requested. Around the same time, 22-year-old Flora Waring visits a restaurant in London and wonders at the attentive treatment she receives, even though she has never been there before. The reason becomes clear shortly afterward, when a young woman enters the restaurant who looks exactly like Flora. “I’m going crazy,” Rose Schuster blurts out. “You look just like me.” The sisters quickly realize they are twins. Unlike Rose, who immediately accepts the facts, Flora struggles with the fact that their parents deceived them. Rose persuades her to come to her suite, where she can stay for the time being until she finds somewhere else. Since Rose has no desire to go with Anthony to visit his family, she suggests that Flora take her place. She and Anthony have not been together for a long time, and she has met a man she absolutely has to visit in Crete. Although Flora refuses, Rose leaves her no choice: by the next morning she has disappeared, leaving Flora only a note asking her not to let her down. Anthony is a nice guy, Rose writes, and Flora will like him. Anthony tells Flora that he and Rose had been practically engaged. After the young man tells her the real reason for the trip, Flora goes with him, even though she had no intention of doing so. She is welcomed warmly, although she senses a certain reserve from both Isobel and Watty Bolton, who is responsible for looking after the family. Tuppy, by contrast, welcomes her with great warmth. When guests are invited that evening to celebrate Anthony and the supposed Rose, Flora again senses that something is wrong when she meets Brian Stoddard. She remembers her encounter that afternoon with Hugh Kyle, who had made strange remarks about Rose’s first visit to the Armstrongs. One of Hugh’s comments prompts Flora to grant Tuppy’s request and stay for a few more days, while Anthony has to return to London and is not expected back until the weekend. Tuppy is planning a garden party for the weekend. Flora learns from Tuppy that Hugh’s wife died in a fatal accident eight years ago, but had never really been suited to Hugh. The elderly lady also tells her that Anna Stoddard loves her husband Brian very much, but that the fact that Anna is very rich had also played a part from his side. Flora befriends Anna, who tells her that, after losing her baby during pregnancy years ago, she is now pregnant again. Flora also advises Anna not to put her husband on such a pedestal, since love always has to do with mutual respect. After Flora agrees to have dinner with Brian Stoddard at his request, another unpleasant scene ensues. First, Flora learns that Rose had once slept with Brian and that Hugh had caught them; then Hugh himself appears and makes sure the meeting is abruptly cut short. Flora has contracted fish poisoning from the meal and, though reluctant, is treated by Hugh. During the examination, the doctor notices something that can only mean one thing. Flora, who already feels guilty, especially toward Tuppy, wants Anthony to finally tell her the truth. Hugh, who knows from the absence of a scar on Flora’s arm that she is not Rose, insists that Anthony tell his grandmother everything. Tuppy is very sorry that Rose/Flora will not marry her grandson, but recognizes that Anthony was motivated by love. Meanwhile, Flora meets her mother, Pamela, who has also been invited to the party, and they talk things through. And in the end, Flora does not wait in vain at the station, where she intends to catch a train to London. At the very last moment, Hugh appears and takes her in his arms.