At 42, Constance, left to nurse Pa and then Ma, has lived her life through others' experiences. Sister Daphne moves from one alternative therapy to another to try and cure her general hypochondria; Alison is so sophisticated yet never able to sustain a relationship for long; Bridget, the third sister, brusque but caring has three sons and a husband with a wandering eye; Edwin, the eldest brother, is coming home to England for his share of the family...