A 1930s British summer Bank Holiday starts at midday on Saturday with a rush for the trains to the seaside. Miss Fulham-Doreen Richards-is off with friend Milly to a beauty contest. Geoffrey and nurse Catherine Lawrence have decided to spend an illicit weekend in the Grand Hotel, although Catherines mind keeps turning back to the hospital cases he has just been on. Arthur, May and the children are set on a more straight forward holiday of sea, sand, and pub. Meanwhile, the manager and performers of the "Follies" on the pier pray for rain.