John Riley is in his early-thirties and has been separated from his wife, Helen, for two years. Deeply involved with his work as an accountant, he has given little thought to saving his marriage until his mother announces that Helen wishes to see him. John's mother and father are also separated - his father has been confined to a nursing home due to the onset of Alzheimers - and as John and Helen work out their past differences his parents' relationship deteriorates. Stanley Middleton brilliantly explores the complexities of marriage and family relationships across the generations.