Fact1: rowdy reception is held at local pub Following wedding of young virginal Jenny Piper to sensitive bookish cinema projectionist Arthur Fitton, Fact2: lifelong gasworks employee does n't understand son 's enjoyment of reading and classical music, Fact3: newlyweds retire as result of practical joke played by Arthur 's boorish boss, Fact4: Lucy spent more of time with Billy, Fact5: Jenny and Arthur lived in own home instead of in Arthur 's father 's house
Output: Following the wedding of young, virginal Jenny Piper Hayley Mills to sensitive, bookish cinema projectionist Arthur Fitton Hywel Bennett, a rowdy reception is held at a local pub in their Lancashire town. The couple return to the Fitton home to spend their first night together, prior to leaving for a honeymoon in Majorca – only to find Arthurs father Ezra John Mills leading the drunken singing with some party guests in the living room. Arthur clashes with Ezra, a lifelong gasworks employee who doesnt understand his sons enjoyment of reading and classical music. After a strained evening, the newlyweds finally retire, only for their marital bed to collapse as the result of a practical joke played by Arthurs boorish boss, Joe Thompson Barry Foster. Jenny laughs at the situation, but Arthur imagines she is laughing at him and then is not able to consummate their marriage. Arthur assures Jenny that all will be well once they get to Majorca, but the next day the couple discover that the travel agent who sold them their tickets has absconded with the money, resulting in them missing their honeymoon. Unable to obtain a home of their own, Jenny and Arthur have to continue living in the crowded Fitton house with Arthurs parents and adult brother Geoffrey, where the thin walls and lack of privacy exacerbate Arthurs discomfort. As days pass into weeks, the marriage remains unconsummated, and the strain between the couple steadily worsens, not helped by Arthurs job keeping him away from the house at night, when Jenny is home from her day job. Jenny begins to go out socially with Geoffrey, who is attracted to her, although she puts off his advances. After a plea from Jenny, Arthur visits a marriage guidance counsellor, but his visit is overheard by a gossipy charwoman who spreads the story. Eventually, Jenny confides in her mother and Jennys parents visit Arthurs parents to tell them. Lucy Marjorie Rhodes reminisces to the Pipers how Ezra took Billy, his close male friend since childhood, along on their honeymoon and spent more of his time with Billy than with her. Later, Lucy tells Mrs Piper of the evening she spent alone with Billy when Ezra was working late, which immediately preceded the abrupt disappearance of Billy from their lives, with no explanation. Jenny also confides in her Uncle Fred and he advises her that Arthurs problem would likely be resolved if she and Arthur lived in their own home instead of in Arthurs fathers house. When Joe Thompson, aware of the gossip, makes fun of Arthur and scornfully volunteers to satisfy Jennys marital needs, an enraged Arthur starts a fight and batters him, and then walks out on his job, returning home to berate Jenny for disclosing their private affairs. Arthur and Jenny have a quarrel that finally leads to sex – overheard by the many gossipy neighbours in the gardens under Arthurs open window. The couple then find out that the Association of British Travel Agents ABTA bond has returned their holiday money, and they get ready to rush off for a belated honeymoon in Blackpool. Before they go, Arthur, encouraged by his mother, asks his father for help with the downpayment on a cottage that has just become available. Ezra gladly agrees to provide the money, to build a better relationship with Arthur, whom he tearfully calls son. After Arthur leaves, Ezra ingenuously remarks how much Arthur looks and acts like the longgone Billy, and Lucy moves to comfort him.