After being dumped by her long-term partner Roy, fifty-year old Gloria hits an all-time low and sets out to drown herself off the Kent coast. Being a good swimmer, this is already doomed to failure. Moving on, as her friend Alison suggests, is easier said than done. Gloria often finds comfort in drink and visiting her elderly aunt, Kit.

When she is let go from her job, Gloria attempts to re-join the world of work, but when this also fails her, she resorts to taking a lodger, Phil. Inevitably, she imagines her role of landlady developing into a more intimate relationship, but this remains just another dream.

While on holiday in Majorca where Alison links up with old flame Joe, Gloria meets photographer Tony who frees her after she becomes trapped in a beach hut. Tony suggests dinner back in the UK, but as he omits to take her number, Gloria isn't holding her breath.