Louise Matthews 's abrupt arrival at the Malorys' home late one night brings news which upsets the whole household.
Clare's decision to bring up her new baby single-handed means that she is alone when the problems begin.
The strain on Douglas Carlton is so great that the least disagreement with his wife and son is a serious test of his self-control.
Strange as it may seem, Louise, sometimes I like to be alone,' says Charles Matthews to his wife. He has much the same thing to say to others in his life, including his mistress Joanne Malory.
Alex and Martha Frend have agreed to live apart for most of the time, while remaining technically married. This arrangement is severely tested when their eldest son is arrested on a charge of assault.
Mary Miller and Architect Malcolm Collins lives in a comfortable house in London with his wife and children. But his job turns out to mean more to him than any of them had ever suspected.