Beatrice is an assistant at a Paris hairdressing salon. The shy 18-year-old lives modestly with her single mother. Her only friend is a co-worker with an active love life. When the two go on a seaside holiday together, Beatrice meets upper-class philosophy student François and falls in love. Back in Paris, she moves in with him, renovates the apartment, and keeps house. But François soon begins to have misgivings. He is embarrassed by his girlfriend’s lower social status and lack of education. He prepares to break up with Beatrice