About Alexa King, a free-spirited writer from London, her friend Christine, an ex-concert pianist who now lives in deepest Essex, has two children and loves being pregnant but is otherwise bored and disillusioned and Paul, her husband, a teacher who is stuck in a rut. Answering a letter that is basically a plea for help to regain her sanity, Alexa moves in with her friend for a while but it's not long before an attraction is obvious between her and Paul.
Alexa, a successful London journalist, receives an SOS letter from her old friend Christine, and agrees to visit her at her home in the depths of the country. Christine is overjoyed to see her, but Paul, her husband, is less than pleased.
Alexa's arrival has cheered Christine, though Paul's acceptance is much more grudging. Clearly something is still bothering him.
While Christine tries to relax at Alexa's London flat, Paul and Alexa settle into an uneasy domestic routine. Soon the strain between them becomes unbearable.
Despite Christine 's unexpected return, Paul and Alexa's affair seems to have gone unnoticed. Alexa gratefully returns to London, but her peace is shattered by the arrival of a telegram.
