Frank, fifty-five, well-known and well-liked in the area of Glasgow in which he lives, suddenly finds himself out of a job. For the first time in his life, his days are empty and meaningless, and not even the solidity of his wife Jean’s love for him can make him feel any better. Unable to come to terms with his new status, he feels worthless, and in response to the situation starts having panic attacks. As a result of a joking remark made by his friend Danny, Frank decides to swim the English Channel across to France. From then on, he puts all his energies into this project, thus giving a meaning, however incongruous, to his existence...