Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley meet every 15 July—St.
Swithin's Day—over 20 years. Dexter is from a southern, wealthy, upper-class family, privately educated at
Winchester College whilst Emma is from a working-class family from northern England. On 15 July 1988, after graduation from the
University of Edinburgh, they spend a platonic night together, agreeing to "just be friends." One year later, Dexter helps Emma move to London to become a writer before heading to India. Finding little success by 1990, she starts working in a Mexican restaurant, where she meets Ian, an aspiring comedian and sci-fi buff. World traveler Dexter works as a
TEFL teacher in Paris. Visiting Emma on 15 July 1991, he suggests they take a holiday, so the next year they travel to
Dinard. Despite their mutual attraction, Emma turns down Dexter's advances as he lacks commitment. By 1993, Dexter is a successful television presenter on a raucous late-night show. Visiting his parents on 15 July 1994 after his mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, he arrives still inebriated from last night's partying, infuriating his father. Unimpressed with Dexter's wild lifestyle, his mother tells him he is not yet a nice person. That night, Emma has a first date with Ian; despite their lack of chemistry, they begin a relationship. By 1995, Emma has become a schoolteacher and lives with Ian, who increasingly irritates her. Dexter's new show makes him "the most annoying man on telly". Meeting Emma for dinner on 15 July 1996, Dexter gets high on
cocaine, flirts with another, and insults Emma quoting
George Bernard Shaw, "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach.” Storming off, she declares they have outgrown each other, telling him that although she loves him, she no longer likes him. Two years later, now mid-30, Dexter loses his television career, failing to capture younger audiences, and by 1999, is in a serious relationship with Sylvie. Meanwhile, Emma has split up with Ian; who confronts her over their breakup and his jealousy of Dexter after reading her diary whilst she reminds him she pays the mortgage and despises
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Ian's obsession. Before leaving, Ian nonetheless praises her short stories, urging her to have them published. On 15 July 2000, Emma and Dexter attend the wedding of mutual friends. His old roommate Callum, now very wealthy, offers him a job. Emma reveals she has received a book deal, and Dexter that he is engaged to a pregnant Sylvie. Dexter and Emma rekindle their friendship. By 2001, Dexter is a devoted father to Jasmine and unaware Sylvie is cheating with Callum. Emma's book is published. Two years pass, and Dexter is divorced. He travels to Paris on the
Eurostar to visit successful author Emma, who lives there. Hopeful after a previous drunken tryst with Emma following his divorce, Dexter learns of her new French, jazz musician boyfriend Jean-Pierre, so he departs. Having second thoughts, Emma chases after Dexter. They share a passionate kiss on the banks of
Canal Saint-Martin and finally begin a relationship. Emma and Dexter are engaged by 2004 and eventually marry. Dexter opens a café in England, sharing custody of Jasmine, and he and Emma try, unsuccessfully, to have a child. On 15 July 2006, Emma is killed by a lorry whilst riding her bicycle. Inconsolable, Dexter returns to being self-destructive. Over the years, he is comforted by Sylvie, Jasmine, his widowed father, and even Ian, now working in insurance and happily married with children, who visits Dexter and tells him Emma "lit up" around him, assuring him that "she made you decent... and you made her so happy". On 15 July 2011, Dexter visits
Arthur's Seat in
Edinburgh with Jasmine. The film flashes back to 1988: after their night together, Dexter declines Emma's invitation to spend the day together, but changes his mind. They climb Arthur's Seat and at the top, he suggests that instead of being casual friends, they "finish what they started" the previous night. Racing back to the flat, they bump into Dexter's parents. Emma leaves, and Dexter tells them she is just a friend, but chases after her for her number. They kiss passionately, and promise to see one another again. ==Cast==