The novel begins when Laura finds out her mother has died and concludes with the burial of the old woman. In between is a long night of a gathering to “see off” Laura and her husband Desmond before they embark on a voyage to Africa.

The evening begins in Laura and Desmond’s hotel room as they have pre-dinner drinks and then moves to a restaurant. All are dependent on alcohol to get through the event, playing their various roles of the wag, the supplicant, the outrageous, and the drunk.

Included in the gathering is Laura's 29 year old daughter, Clara. Clara didn't grow up with Laura, however, she grew up with Laura's mother, Alma, but Laura decides that Clara shouldn't be told about her grandmother's death.