Carla Tradescant loathes everything about her husband Alan. She loved him once, when he was a trendy, radical university lecturer. But now - a careworn headmaster in his early fifties - he has lost his appeal. As the school year begins, the allure of young English teacher Peter Barrett proves too much, and he and Carla embark on an ill-advised affair. Meanwhile, Alan finds he has a secret of his own, as his profligate past finally catches up with him... A superbly crafted, rich and satisfying novel of relationships.