To the casual observer, the city of Edinburgh, home of no-nonsense philosophers and cream teas, might appear immune to the rollercoaster of strong emotions. But at 44 Scotland Street, as Matthew and Elspeth embark on the risky enterprise of married love, the raffish portrait painter Angus Lordie has a premonition of disaster.

The ever-so-pleased-with himself Bruce is puzzled by a familiar face as he meets his new neighbour, Jonathan. The fact that Jonathan is his double shakes Bruce's vanity to the core, but then an idea occurs. The two young men embark on an outrageous joint venture, but will Bruce be two-faced in more senses than one?