Robin, a gay writer, has his script declined by a television executive whilst school-boy Theo stalks his neighbour Tim, on whom he spies through the window. Terry, who lives with his grandmother, prepares for a night out whilst professionals Gavin and Will celebrate a civil partnership though faithless Will flirts with young waiter Alfie, giving him his ring. Terry picks a man up at a gay club, inexplicably giving him a savage beating-up. Robin goes cruising in a toilet meeting the closeted Julian, before going on to a dinner party with married friends. To Robin's surprise Julian also turns up, having hidden in a cubicle whilst Alfie was pursued and attacked by gay bashers. Terry finds the severely injured waiter but rather than help him steals Will's ring. The dinner party guests, who also number Theo's parents, see the ambulance draw up for Alfie but Julian refuses to tell the police what he saw, to Robin's dismay. Terry himself is also beaten up and treated in hospital by Gavin, who is displeased to find he has Will's ring though Will claims he had sent it to the jeweller. Theo's parents leave the dinner party early and although they do not catch him having sex with Tim Theo's mother Natasha is suspicious and warns Tim off. Consequently Tim refuses to acknowledge any more of the boy's advances. Alfie dies in hospital as another young boy Danny, a talented violinist, has his instrument smashed by homophobic tormentors.