Esther comes to the conclusion that "running a house is not a sensible occupation for a grown woman," and Alan's sly secretary, Susan, taps into Alan's longing for attention. Admitting that "status is a great aphrodisiac," Susan plots to manoeuvre Alan into "escaping into a better, richer, honester life." Weldon dissects marital politics and extra-marital affairs unmercifully with her usual savage wit as she follows the swift disintegration of her characters' lives.

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