Born to elegant but frivolous parents, Harriet grows up ignored and
unguided, and retains a curious innocence that neither her marriage to
Freddie Lytton, nor her friendship with the beautiful Tessa can dispel.
Freddie is far older than she is - a companion rather than a lover - and
slightly disapproving of Tessa and her irresponsible, attractive
husband, Jack. Yet all four are bound together: by their backgrounds,
their children, by Harriet's unspoken feelings for Jack and by the
tragedy that lies in wait for all of them.