Tim Mercier grows up in the 1970s, while Britain is enduring an intractable economic recession, dreaming of the independence that would be afforded to him were he to start and run a successful company. He pours his energies into starting a greetings-card business, using artwork by his friend Terry.

He falls in love with and marries Judy, a woman from a middle-class background with disapproving parents, whose entrepreneur father Tim wishes to emulate.

While their married life is at first happy, albeit poor, Tim’s dedication to his business means he slowly grows apart from his family, alienating his son Adam. Judy, meanwhile, becomes closer to Terry, who lends a sympathetic ear and shares her interest in the arts.

Can Tim reassess his priorities and dedicate himself to his marriage before it finally collapses?