Based on the popular series of novels by N.Z. author, Tessa Duder, Alex focuses on the life of 15 year old, Alex Archer. The year Is 1959. Alex is preparing for the N.Z. national swimming trials, hoping to qualify for the Olympics in Rome. So confident is she of selection, she is studying Italian, in between her commitments to swimming, school, dancing classes, rehearsals for the lead role in The Mikado, hockey and her newly blossoming romance with Andy. Alex is an over-achiever. And until the arrival of Maggie Benton, she has always been No. 1. But suddenly, Alex finds herself being challenged; Maggie beats her in a trial and her coach begins to demand that she focus less on her other activities and more on beating Maggie Benton; and the demands of romance begin to take their toll. Will Alex overcome these obstacles and fulfil her ambitions?