Verena

Verena has been convalescing in a convent after a breakdown and is stabilising her mental state by assisting with the care of the elderly and orphaned children. The Mother Superior deems that an unhealthy relationship has developed with Verena's affection for the orphaned baby boy, Joshua. The Mother recommends that Verena leave the sanctuary of the convent and return to her rich stepfather's home. Verena's stepfather is influenced by Nivardia, a Gypsy Jewess who possesses psychic powers and holds the key to Verena's fate. Instead of returning home, Verena absconds from the convent and applies for a position as nanny to care for two young girls. The father of the girls is a young entrepreneur, Christopher Criscillo, who is estranged from his self-centred wife. Christopher has custody of the girls, but is emotionally beset by the desertion of the girls' mother, Melissa, due to his own abandonment by his mother when he was a child. Christopher compensates for a loveless void with sordid casual affairs. Verena's first meeting with Christopher is marred by the exit of a dishevelled casual tryst leaving the house in the early morning, just as Verena arrives for the job interview. Assuming that Verena is a nun, Christopher hires her without hesitation. Verena is naïve in the ways of the world and emotionally stunted. She is overwhelmed by her prospective employer's virility and outgoing charm, and in trepidation decides not to accept the position, but a chance phone call from Christopher's eldest daughter, who has been with her mother for the school holidays changes Verena's mind. The transition of Verena's naivety to sensual awareness is tempered by Christopher's determination to keep Verena's live-in position at an arms-length employer-employee relationship, as the welfare of his daughters is paramount. Kate, the eldest of Christopher's children is a bolshy teenager conflicted by her mother's maternal disinterest and the mistaken, but apparent romantic interest that Verena has for her beloved father. Kate is suspicious of Verena's loving attentions, but Christopher is in awe of Verena's mothering and house-keeping skills and is astounded by her gift to alleviate physical pain. Verena's misconceptions of sexual advances and childish comfort manoeuvres and Christopher's inept, but determined stand to keep their relationship as platonic as possible, is a bumbling mixture of comedic episodes intermixed with raw emotive catastrophes. Then an unexpected incident disrupts the blissfulness of the household. Christopher is disturbed when Verena re-lives a nightmare from her past life and the traumatic episode frightens his daughters. He threatens to dismiss her, as he fears for the girls' safety. Fearing banishment from the family she loves, Verena tearfully reveals her nefarious past and only then does Christopher understand and realize his true feelings for her. Distraught by her disconsolate detachment, he clumsily begs forgiveness. His reprieve ignites their romance. Troubled by Verena's unbelievable story, Christopher is determined to discover the truth and takes Verena against her will, to the convent where he confronts the Mother Superior. The diabolical event, which led to Verena's incarceration is revealed. The enigma of Nivardia's dark art collaboration with Verena's stepfather and Joshua's true identity is explained by the deathbed confession of the mysterious Dr Dastari. But unexpected events beyond Christopher's control threaten his business and Verena's past returns to haunt her. The crisis may well jeopardise the happy liaison that is developing between herself and Christopher. Only when those that she loves are in danger, does the numinous power of her gift reveal itself. Jousting with her satanic nemesis, Verena heroically saves Christopher's life, but she cannot use the gift to save herself. There is a happy ending.