Keith Maskell lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with his father, John, and mother, Alison. Having migrated from England, they struggle to build a life in their new country. It is a time of dramatic change for Keith, whose fumbling attempts to forge a relationship with Jenny, a girl at his school, is coloured by the slow freezing of his parents' marriage.
John takes a job driving buses interstate and becomes friendly with his new boss, Beatrice, a development not welcomed by Alison, who suspects Beatrice is interested in more than friendship.
At a party thrown by Beatrice, Keith meets Beatrice's daughter, Marina. Both sensual and assertive, she takes a liking to Keith. Though he tries to resist her, Marina refuses to take no for an answer. As Keith's parents' relationship descends into bitter arguing, Keith finds himself torn between Jenny and Marina.