Janie Pember gave up work to look after her children, but when her unreliable husband decides to take time out in South America to find himself, she has to find herself a job. Janie's lost most of her contacts since she quit work, but her best friend Cassie, the owner of a model agency, quickly fixes her up with an interview for the job of fashion editor on the International Gazette. Janie's sure she won't get it, and then when she does, sure she won't enjoy it, but she soon finds out that five years makes not a bit of difference in the fashion industry. And though she'd much rather be gardening (and trying to get her husband back), Janie finds herself insidiously drawn back into the senseless world of fashion.