In this small-scale drama, Judi Dench both narrates and stars as Barbara Coveet, a teacher reaching the end of here career in a rough London comprehensive school. A stone is thrown into the calm pool of the teacher’s common room in the form of the beautiful Sheba (Cate Blanchett), a new and inexperienced art teacher. While the male teachers sniff around the already married Sheba, Barbara shows her kindness and befriends her.