Domineering child Helena Vesey plans a lethal revenge on her childhood friend Maureen. As an adult Helena is excessively protective of her only child, Kit. When he informs her that that he is going to marry Angela, Helena feels abandoned. Having divorced her husband Alex soon after the birth of her son, Helena has believed for years that there has been no communication between Kit and Alex. However, Kit has maintained contact and is very close to his father, his step-mother and their children. When Alex helps Kit and Angela buy a flat, telling Helena proves rather difficult. News of Alex's Knighthood does nothing to quell her bitterness.