Bernard's book-dealin business is in difficulties and in order to tide it over a family gathering has been called to readjust a trust he had drawn up for his children: but what might have been expected to be a happy meeting of parents and children for a generous purpose becomes instead a revelation far from affectionate relationships. The unexpected arrival of Delia, his first wife, now an embittered, alcoholic, stirs up hidden resentments and underneath it's civilised exterior the family is shown to be a boiling pot of spite and antagonisms, far removed from the conventional representation. Somehow things are cooled down as the meeting breaks up, and Bernard and his second wife Mary are left alone again-perhaps to benefit from the unedifying events-perhaps not.