Sensitive Skin (2005)

Following the sudden death of her husband, Davina is forced to cope with life alone and a sister who blames her for everything. After six months of mourning the death of her husband, Davina decides it is time to re-launch her life and embarks on a journey to rediscover happiness – via a host of vivid characters, all of whom have their own bridges to cross.

Davina's quest for self-realisation brings her under the influence of Sue Shortstop, an ardent feminist and scourge of male panellists on discussion shows. As Davina gets in touch with her inner goddess, Shortstop’s husband Ed appears intent on establishing a more tactile connection with one of his attractive students.

Davina meets Tom Paine, a personal shopper, who helps her to believe that there is life (and style) after widowhood. They visit Davina’s mother in hospital but, as her mother’s life hangs in the balance, Davina and her sister, Veronica, argue over Davina’s ‘adolescent’ new lifestyle. Davina and Tom’s new relationship seems to be going well, but her new neighbour, Lizzie, has some news that may derail her hopes.

After doing a little sole searching, Davina's son, Orlando, returns, and reveals he has fallen in love. Davina persuades Orlando to move in with her but is more than a little surprised when she mistakes his new girlfriend, Cheryl, for his girlfriend's mother. With Orlando seeming to have forgiven Davina for Al’s death, but Cheryl blaming Davina for Orlando's past, it seems Orlando is trying to pay his mother back for her affair with a younger man.

Davina pays her third visit to the heart doctor, only to be told she is in excellent health. However, it seems that the doctor, Matthew, has other reasons than her heath for asking her to return. Davina’s brother-in-law, Roger, is on trial for accountancy fraud and happens to be mysteriously represented by old school mate Leonard Richards. When Roger finds out about his wife Veronica’s history with Richards, he takes steps to free them both.

Davina’s friend, Lizzie, has been waiting for 17,532 days. She doesn't know for what, just that her wait is finally over. In the face of unexpected tragedy, Davina assesses how far she has actually moved forward. She helps Ed, who has split up with his 21-year-old girlfriend, get back with his wife of 30 years, Sue. She helps steady Cheryl's nerves on the eve of her wedding day to Orlando, who’s 30 years her junior. But who is going to help Davina?? Even her hopes of some sort of reconciliation with Tom are dashed and, when she visits Roger in jail, it's no wonder she breaks down with the observation that at least he has a release date. However, a release for Davina may be closer than she thinks...