Publisher's Synopsis
Ruby Warrinton-Smythe, a rich twice widowed woman, is rather bored with life despite her fine living. Her niece Emma, a university student, gets into a sexual entanglement with her University Professor which her ex-boyfriend resents to the extent of taking revenge on the professor which escalates into attack and criminal damage. Brother David has married his brother's widow after a long running affair, but the couple find their passion wanes. Ruby neglects her ancient father who lives alone with his dog and his silver collection until he dies accidentally during a burglary.
Millicent, who cleans for Ruby is more of a friend than an employee. She gets into all sorts of trouble because of supposed neglect of her children but is eventually rescued by Rubin, the charismatic father of one of them.
David's ex-wife, Elizabeth, who still has feeling for her divorced husband, retreats to France and writes what turns out to be a successful novel.
Ruby is unsettled and after a one-night-stand with the boss of the charity she works for,
succumbs to a morbid desire to have sex with her gardener who, it later turns out,
is one of the men who burgled her father's house leading to the old man's death.
Eventually she does meet someone with whom she can establish
a relationship.
The story ends when a desperate David, his marriage and his business in ruins, turns up on
Elizabeth's doorstep in France. She invites him in for a cup of te
