Retirement and the impending move to his new family home will be challenging for workaholic Headmaster John Stevens after years of being at the top of the professional tree with considerable influence and responsibility. How will he cope with no longer being the “bee’s knees”? His wife Sally, a highly respected GP, intends to work for at least another five years. Can he adjust to being the partner at home? And has he spent too much time with other people’s children and neglected his own?

To make matters worse, disaster strikes within weeks of leaving his post. John’s life is thrown into turmoil and he needs all his strength and resilience to cope. His weaknesses as a parent are exposed, family tensions are heightened and unsettling questions about his marriage are raised.