'I sometimes wonder how on earth people as pathetic as you and me are allowed to start a family. It's far more dangerous than driving a car, and yet there's not a single test...'

Briony and Keith are not finding parenthood easy so their friends the delightful Ross and Rosy, engineer a relaxing weekend away in Wales: intelligent adult company, good food and drink, complete rest - and absolutely no children.

But making up the numbers by inviting the unpredictable Charles and Serena doesn't make things restful. Add an uninvited anarchic adolescent and a fanatical farmer and Briony and Keith's idyllic weekend erupts into total chaos.

An uproarious study of modern parenting and matrimonial tribulations.