Desmond Voldson, retired professor and WW2 army officer is faced with the burden of care for his invalid wife Jennie, his love for her, and at the same time a desire to be free of the torment caused by her illness for them.  He finds support from a group of friends. The wife's death is investigated by the CID. Finding his life empty after her death he courts a work colleague and ex-student, Monica.  Although she has reservations they eventually decide to share their lives, but Desmond is killed in a road accident without discovering he is the father of her son. The story is set in a Yorkshire village during the 1960's against a background of the effect of WW2 on his friends.