There are two main characters in this story - Eve Colman, the young professional who has fallen from financial grace, and Adam Smith, the office temp who hasn’t recovered from redundancy. As an educated woman born into privilege Eve represents polite society whereas Adam born into humble origins represents the working classes. An un-beautiful woman who symbolises the lack of beauty in Adam’s existence. Her conservative approach to friendship collides with his aloof rules of engagement. Their qualities are different, and the challenge for them both is to find some common ground.