The Iron Lady

Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister, now in her 80s, is at home having breakfast in Chester Square, London. Although her husband, Denis, has been dead for several years, her decision finally to clear out his wardrobe has triggered a slew of memories. Indeed, as she sets about her day, Denis appears to her as real as when he was alive - loyal, loving, mischievous. Margaret's staff express concern to Carol Thatcher about her mother's apparent confusion of past and present. The concern becomes stronger when, at a dinner she hosts that night, Margaret captivates her guests but is then distracted by memories of the dinner at which she first met Denis 60 years previously.

The day after the dinner party, Carol has persuaded her mother to see a doctor. Margaret maintains that there is nothing wrong with her. She reveals nothing to the doctor about the vivid memories of key moments of her life that are invading her waking hours.

Back at Chester Square, Margaret fights against the rising tide of memories. She packs up Denis's belongings and asserts her ndependence - of course she will have memories but she also has a life in the present - a smaller life than before, but one no less worth living.