Two years of deterioration sees John and Barbara Lomax's marriage reduced to bitter sniping and "keeping up appearances" for the sake of the children. When John's old friend Bill professes his love for Barbara, the marriage finally breaks up – causing their three children to react in different ways and their son secretly determined to do Bill harm.

Reparto

Valerie Hobson

Barbie Lomax

Philip Friend

John Lomax

Norman Wooland

Bill Ogden

Janette Scott

Jess Lomax

Mandy Miller

Linda Lomax

Jeremy Spenser

Adrian Lomax

Lily Kann

Brownie

Helen Shingler

Mary Wallace

Thora Hird

Mrs. Humphries

Louise Hampton

Miss Russell

Jack Melford

Mackay

Richard Wattis

David Wallace

Joss Ambler

Judge

Paul Harding

Arthur Meade

Lloyd Lamble

Defence Counsel

Barbara Hicks

Mrs. Young

Ernest Butcher

Clerk