Summoned by the police to the scene of a car crash, wealthy architect Peter Manson recalls events from months earlier. Married to counsellor Cassie, he has a strong, almost obsessive bond with sixth former daughter Prue and is not happy to learn that Prue is pregnant by her former English teacher, the arrogant Gavin, whom she intends to marry. Peter wants Gavin arrested but Cassie feels this would alienate their daughter, who admits that she only applied to university to please Peter and is happy with Gavin.