[1][2] Kennedy was motivated to write it by an increasing number of divorces amongst her acquaintances.

[3] In 1920s Britain, Betsy Canning has an outwardly comfortable existence a middle-aged housewife with three children, yet she lacks satisfaction in her life and comes to the conclusion it is due to the breakdown of her marriage to her husband Alec.

However the interference of various people, particularly her mother-in-law, ironically ends any hope of this or of reconciliation.

She marries her uninspiring cousin while he, after an affair with their au pair, sets up house with her.

Some years later the couple pass each other on the escalator at London Underground station and exchange glances.