One Friday, a group of lecturers and students arrive on the Scottish island of Cannamore for a literature study weekend – although studying is not exactly what some of them have in mind. With his wife back in Glasgow, David Cudlipp feels free to seduce one of his students; Harry Beck hopes to be distracted from thoughts of his failed marriage and stalled writing career; and Andrew Lawson, organiser of the weekend, looks forward to a break from caring for his bed-ridden wife. Among the students, Kate Foster is set on losing her virginity and Jacqui Forsyth on getting over a break-up, while Vikki Kane, a divorced single mother, sees a chance to shed her inhibitions and care. Then there’s Marion, nicknamed the Mouse, who plans only to observe everyone else from the wings. Naturally, nothing turns out quite how anyone expected…