Lawyer Donald Redfern and his designer partner, Patsy, enjoy a happy relationship until skeletons from her distant past are unfortunately unearthed. These revelations introduce new tensions and suspicions into their lives.

Despite the fact that they have two children, Zoe and Matthew, Donald and Patsy now find themselves drifting apart. Visits from Patsy's mum, Babs, and her husband, Victor, do little to help the situation. Donald then embarks on an affair with wealthy widow Laurel Manasotti, and, in an effort to patch up their ailing marriage, the Redferns seek advice from counsellor Tristan Beasley.

However, Beasley falls in love with Patsy and they begin a relationship, leaving the Redferns hurtling ever faster towards divorce. The Redferns' close friends are Amanda and Gary Owen, who have four children and a turbulent relationship of their own.