Gerald, an archaeological lecturer, rents a remote country cottage for the weekend, ostensibly to work on a local site, in reality hoping for a little middle-aged philandering with his attractive college librarian, Ruth. Gerald introduces her to the landlord of the cottage, Bill Flack, as his secretary. Their privacy is soon invaded, first by the former occupants, Dora and her lovesick daughter, then by other locals including a very pregnant young woman and a menacing bull, Hamish and finally by Gerald's wife, Alison, whose nursing experience comes in unexpectedly useful.|6 women, 4 men