A masterly comic novel deconstructing modern family life; on the day her children leave home, Eva climbs into bed and stays there. She's had enough, and her refusal to behave like a dutiful wife and mother upsets everyone from Brian, her husband, to the medical authorities and her neighbours, and then the strangest things start to happen. 'Proof once more that Townsend is one of the funniest writers around' }Times{. Jacket image not finalised.