May, portrayed by Anne Reid, and her partner Toots, played by Peter Vaughn, are an elderly couple residing in England. They make a trip to London to visit their children, Bobby, acted by Steven Mackintosh, and Paula, portrayed by Cathryn Bradshaw. Bobby is engrossed in his work while also managing renovations on his house, which are being carried out by his friend, Darren, played by Daniel Craig. Complications arise as Darren and Paula are involved in a secret affair, adding layers to the already complex situation due to Paula’s marriage to Darren's close friend and her dependency on her husband.
Tragedy strikes during the visit when Toots suffers a heart attack and passes away, leaving May devastated and unwilling to return to the home they shared. Consequently, she moves in with Paula. One evening, as Paula goes out without revealing her destination, May is tasked with babysitting Paula's only child, Jack, portrayed by Carlo and Sachin Kureishi. They fall asleep, but later in the night, May is awoken by the sounds of intimacy in the house, discovering that Darren is visiting Paula for one of their clandestine meetings. A heated argument ensues between the lovers, leading to Darren leaving, whilst Paula impulsively sets out after him.
During her time in London, May finds herself wandering and exploring the city on her own. After getting lost, she eventually makes her way back to Paula's home. As days pass, May begins to spend time at Bobby's house, preparing lunch for Darren during his work hours. As they converse, May opens up about her life with Toots, while Darren shares insights into his challenging past, including his own failed marriage. Meanwhile, Paula confides in May about her frustrations with Darren, revealing his immovable situation due to his child who has Down Syndrome and is forced to live in a van.
Driven by her desires, Paula aims to persuade Darren to finalize his divorce so they can get married, seeking May's influence to facilitate this outcome. As May and Darren grow closer, they develop a bond that rekindles emotions in May, particularly on the romantic front, feelings she thought she had long lost. However, when Paula inquires about her discussions with Darren, May remains elusive, attempting to encourage Paula to let Darren go, only to find Paula unable to sever the ties.
As tensions rise, Paula's insistence on pressure culminates with plans for them to cohabitate by the year's end. The long-overdue conservatory construction at Bobby's home is not progressing as planned, raising financial strains that threaten to force him into selling the property earlier than anticipated, exacerbated by his wife Helen's (Anna Wilson-Jones) extravagant business pursuits.
Confronted with the unforeseen consequences of her mother’s drawings, which contain bold and sexual themes, Paula is perturbed, showing her disgust at the explicit nature of May's artwork. Bobby’s frustrations about the obsessions with his home renovations increase, as he grapples with the pressures from both his wife and Paula.
Amid the chaos, Paula drags May into a double date with another creative writing peer, Bruce, played by Oliver Ford Davies, and Darren. Although May reluctantly agrees, the evening turns sour, culminating in her emotional distress, while Paula and Darren share a kiss. The night evolves into a tense situation with May returning home feeling lost and dispirited.
In her turmoil, Paula consents to transiently burn her stories, igniting an open confrontation with May regarding their mutual affection for Darren, which leads to a physical altercation where Paula strikes May. Burdened by tragedy and isolation, May makes the decision to return to the home she shared with Toots, confronting her melancholy and displacement. However, feeling dejected and defeated, she resolves to leave her past behind, taking steps to reimagine her future and begin anew.
This journey of loss and self-discovery unravels intricate themes of love, dependence, and the quest for anew, as May navigates the complexities of her relationships with those around her.
