Dek (RHYS IFANS) is a mild-mannered tire store manager who takes a big chance when he proposes to his live-in girlfriend, Shirley (SHIRLEY HENDERSON), on national TV. In front of their friend, Carol (KATHY BURKE), her estranged husband Charlie (RICKY TOMLINSON), and everyone else, Shirley crushes Dek by turning down his offer.
One of those watching is Shirley's deadbeat husband, Jimmy (ROBERT CARLYLE), who up and left years ago and currently works as a thug, robbing people with his mates. Feeling that she's too good for a milquetoast like Dek, Jimmy sets out to return home and win back Shirley and their 12-year-old daughter, Marlene (FINN ATKINS).
From that point on, and as Jimmy's mates, including Billy (JAMES KOSMO), come looking for him and their share of their recent loot, Dek tries to ward off the romantic assault, fully aware that Shirley seems to be falling back under Jimmy's spell.