In one of Copenhagen's suburbs stands a large house, a villa-like property. The house is owned by the widow Elise Thomsen, who lives on the ground floor with her adult son, Eigil. Mrs. Thomsen rents out most of the villa. On the first floor lives the author Stefan Donner with his wife Lili and their 9-year-old son, Peter. Donner is talented but poor. The financial pressure on him and his family is getting on his nerves.