Desmond Voldson, retired professor and WWII army officer, is faced with the burden of caring for his invalid wife Jennie. A burden due to his love for her and at the same time, the desire to be free of the torment caused by her illness. He finds support from a group of friends. Once his wife dies, her death is investigated by the CID. Finding his life empty after her death, he courts a work colleague and ex-student, Monica. Although she has reservations, they eventually decide to share their lives, but Desmond is killed in a road accident without discovering that he is the father of her son. The story is set in a Yorkshire village during the 1960s against a background of the effects of WWII on his friends.

Desmond Voldson, retired professor and WWII army officer, is faced with the burden of caring for his invalid wife Jennie. A burden due to his love for her and at the same time, the desire to be free of the torment caused by her illness. He finds support from a group of friends. Once his wife dies, her death is investigated by the CID. Finding his life empty after her death, he courts a work colleague and ex-student, Monica. Although she has reservations, they eventually decide to share their lives, but Desmond is killed in a road accident without discovering that he is the father of her son. The story is set in a Yorkshire village during the 1960s against a background of the effects of WWII on his friends.