On the slippery slope to apathy, Joanne is rescued by the arrival of Frances. Together they discover the stories hidden behind the faces of their companions and Joannes unlikely friendship with teenage Darren re-opens the door to her first love.

JANE'S new house will be her refuge. Here she can lick her wounds. But she needs tenants to finance it, business types who will be out all day and, hopefully, away visiting friends at the weekends. But she gets ISI, whose truculent attitude hides the despair of lost dreams. Confined to a wheelchair after an industrial accident she contemplates suicide. After her comes MAGARET, whose calm serenity hides deep guilt that she lives while her daughter is dead. Her life is over. Then comes JULIA. whose beauty and sophistication give no clue to her background of povery and abuse. Humiliation has led...