It's the long hot summer of 1976 and unsophisticated Madeleine Johnsson is content playing wife, mother, tennis and discussing the latest slimming pill and push-up bra. Until handsome Max Wright comes to town and opens an antique shop.Falling heavily for the latest flirtation on the dinner party circuit, Madeleine allows herself to think beyond soirees at Angela's, barbeques at Liz's, and political fundraising events at Val's. In a society where group fumblings and philanderings are accepted and sex is traded like green shield stamps, there is a strict code - not to fall in love. But Madeleine is intoxicated, she can no longer help herself and everyone's world is disrupted as her whole life is turned upside down!