In August 1939 in the Loire Valley, Vianne Mauriac enjoys a warm summer morning at Le Jardin with her husband, Antoine, and their eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. The ordinary pleasures of home and family life—laundry in the breeze, a picnic planned, Sophie’s chatter—underscore how much Vianne depends on stability.

As they head into town and picnic by the river, Antoine’s mood darkens and he mentions that Hitler will pull France into war. Vianne refuses to engage, insisting Antoine will protect them and steering the family back toward routine, even as the topic keeps intruding on their day.

At home, Vianne cooks a careful supper and tries to preserve normalcy, but Sophie notices Antoine’s worry and repeats that it is about the war. When Sophie admits she is scared, Vianne comforts her with the promise that Antoine will keep them safe, even as Vianne privately recalls her own childhood fear when her father went off to war.

Later that night, Vianne finds Antoine outside smoking, shaken and withdrawn. Antoine reveals he has been mobilized and must report for duty on Tuesday, despite not yet being officially at war; the news transforms him from postman to soldier and leaves Vianne facing the sudden threat of separation and an uncertain future.