Judy Morton doesn't want a man in her life. She breaks off her engagement to two-timing Mark Simmons, and is grateful to her sister Fay who asks her to look after her dogs while she and husband Paul have a long holiday in Australia. She is delayed starting out, arriving after Fay and Paul have left. Letting herself into the house she tosses some luggage onto the spare room bed only to find Justin Danby occupying it. He is Paul's cousin, offered a room by Paul until he can move into his own flat, which is being rented out while Justin, an architect, was working in Oman. He tells her Fay, an interior designer, often works with him and Judy suspects he and Fay could be closer than just colleagues. Justin is also recovering from a broken engagement from Barbara, who ditches him for a rich Texan. Justin offers to move out, meanwhile they agree they can co-exist. Justin suspects there is something worrying Judy. Walking the dogs Judy meets a neighbour, Ken, talkative and hospitable. Then their pasts begin to catch up with them. Late one evening Mark arrives, aggressive and attempting to resume the engagement. Barbara comes, having decided her Texan is not for her. Judy, meanwhile, is hoping to expand her small business designing and selling greetings cards, and Ken's wife Magda suggests she takes a stall at a local craft fair.