Wives and lovers - Jane Elizabeth Varley

Victoria Stratford's birthday party for her ambitious husband David shows

off their beautiful Wimbledon house, their wonderful children, their perfect

lives. But while Victoria welcomes her guests, the only person missing is

David himself.

Victoria's sister Clara and her husband Tom are at the party. Unworldly

and idealistic, Tom scorns David's quest for wealth. While Clara is content

with her job as a university lecturer, she yearns for a change in her life.

In the garden, the youngest sister Annie talks to her husband Hugo. Very

happy together, the only blight on their lives is Hugo's mother, whose

jealousy and possessiveness have turned into a poisonous hatred of

Annie.

So begins a train of events that will lead each sister down a different path - towards love, sex, grief, betrayal and happiness.