A young Bulgarian girl saves the life of a Swiss soldier of fortune who has been fighting against her country. In the next few days, she learns that her ideals of love and war are romantic dreams.

An ill-assorted gang of workmen arrives to put up a luxurious tent at the home of their boss, for his daughter's wedding reception. By the time the tent has been raised—and dismantled—a lot more has been learned about all of them, and their problems.

Ronnie Winslow, a naval cadet, is expelled from Osborne for the alleged theft of a five-shilling postal order. His family begins a long and costly fight to prove his innocence, a fight that finally shakes the government of the day.

The Samsa family live like parasites off their industrious son Gregor. One morning Gregor finds it harder than usual to get up. Waving his arms and legs around in an attempt to get out of bed he realises that he has been changed into an insect.

David dreams to sweep away acres of crumbling south London houses and replace them with a perfect low-rise set of homes. But he has reckoned without the opposition of his oldest friend.