After forty years in suburbia, the Doyles have moved to the rural idyll of a village in the Cotswolds, largely due to indulge their daughter Anna's passion for ponies. Tony is a rich but domineering husband, and Jennifer feels isolated and bored in this countryside 'void'. She retreats into herself, finding solace only in habitual vodka drinking. Craving a little freedom, Jennifer takes the car her husband has forbidden her from driving for a spin, when tragedy strikes when she hits a neighbour's little girl. Her feelings of pain, anguish and despair, Tony's arrogance, Ian Kincaid, the local vet's unexpected support, and the kind-heartedness of neighbours, hitherto virtual strangers, are all woven into the author's succinct narrative style, capturing the many dimensions of English village life.The story tells of the path which leads Jennifer to find herself again and shake off the shackles of social reclusiveness.