Conversations with Friends

Frances and Bobbi, best friends (and exes) have the summer before their final year at Trinity College, Dublin, stretching out ahead of them. Frances writes spoken word poetry, and the duo perform in clubs together in the evenings after work. After a gig one night, they meet and befriend Melissa - an impressive and enigmatic writer in her 30s. Melissa takes the girls sea swimming and later they have lunch together in her home where they meet Melissa's husband, Nick - a quiet, somewhat withdrawn actor in his 30s. It's clear that Bobbi and Melissa have chemistry; but Frances finds herself strangely drawn to Nick and the two chat comfortably when Bobbi and Melissa peel away. Solo, Frances goes to see him perform in a play and they begin texting each other - something she keeps from Bobbi, who thinks that Nick is dull. Frances invites Nick to watch her and Bobbi perform. Having drinks after, Nick awkwardly tries to compliment Frances - and jokes that it might be easier to message her, as they won't have to make eye contact... but Frances coyly suggests that maybe they should try anyway.

Bobbi and Frances go to Melissa's birthday party. While Bobbi chats to Melissa and her friends, Frances drifts off to explore the house and finds Nick alone in a bedroom. Electrified by the intimacy of the moment, things escalate between them. Overwhelmed, Frances leaves the party, to Bobbi's annoyance. The next morning Frances travels to the country to visit her mother Paula, the events of last night playing over in her head. Paula encourages Frances to visit her father while she's home, which she reluctantly does; she finds Dennis drinking alone, and the house a mess. They're stilted and awkward with each other and after tidying up Frances heads back to her mother. Nick texts her initially to apologise, but the texts turn flirtatious - to Frances' secret delight. Back in Dublin, an excited Bobbi makes a surprising confession to Frances who decides not to share her news about Nick. Later that week at a book launch, when Nick and Frances find themselves alone again, Nick suggests that they should talk properly. He invites Frances over while Melissa is away for work.

When Frances arrives at Nick and Melissa's house; the sexual tension between them is palpable. They both share intimate details about their lives and their pasts as they get to know each other better. Later, at Frances' apartment, Bobbi presses Frances to watch one of Nick's films, and Frances gets annoyed at her for mocking him. Bobbi teases Frances about her crush, and Frances sharply accuses Bobbi of being jealous, which deeply offends Bobbi, causing a rupture in their friendship. Nick and Frances continue to see each other, but she is unsettled when he admits he'll be gone for most of the summer. They part unsure of what will happen next. Bobbi calls Frances out on her comment and Frances apologises; but when she meets Bobbi for coffee, she is surprised to find Melissa there too.

Frances and Bobbi arrive at Melissa and Nick's idyllic villa in Croatia where they're introduced to their friends Derek and Evelyn. As the group lounge by the sea Bobbi notices Frances staring at Nick and teases her again for having a crush, but Frances brushes it off. Nick takes Bobbi and Frances sightseeing, and they stop at a cove where Bobbi goes for a swim. Alone for the first time, Nick apologises to Frances for how he handled things and admits that it's good to see her. That night, unable to sleep, Frances wanders downstairs and bumps into Nick - confirming the chemistry is still strong between them. When Frances ditches Bobbi in favour of hanging around the villa (and Nick) for the day, Bobbi is hurt - and as the group play a drinking game late that night, Bobbi turns her teasing to Nick, which mortifies Frances. But a late-night visit from Nick proves that the two can't stay away from each other.

Melissa's agent, Valerie, who owns the villa, is coming for a visit and Melissa is in full prep mode. Frances joins Nick to set the table for breakfast; they're flirty and easy going - but Frances is thrown when Nick admits he still loves Melissa. Their conversation is cut short when Melissa joins, assigning tasks for the big dinner that night. Bobbi apologises to Frances for the previous night, and jokes that Frances could totally hook up with Nick. Later, while grocery shopping, Nick also apologises to Frances for being so blunt at breakfast - but it's rushed, and she's left still trying to process things. Valerie arrives; it becomes clear that she's a big personality and the energy of the group shifts tangibly around her. When Valerie and Melissa speak casually and, to Frances's mind, unkindly, about Nick's mental health, Frances becomes frustrated and leaves the table in a huff to be on her own. Bobbi joins to calm her down, and they both feel their friendship is back on track. Back at the villa, Valerie has gone to bed and Frances has an awkward conversation with Melissa that compounds her complex feelings about the affair. Later, Frances confides to Nick that she hadn't really considered the repercussions of their actions - but both will be forced to reckon with them sooner than they think.

Bobbi gives Frances the silent treatment as they travel back from the airport before Frances departs for Mayo. At her mother's house, Frances brushes off texts from Nick, feeling drained and unwell, and worried about Bobbi. Later, she starts bleeding heavily and is in a lot of pain. Paula is worried that it could be a miscarriage and takes her to hospital. The doctors run tests and rule out a miscarriage but keep her in overnight to monitor her. She tries to call Nick from the hospital but is unable to tell him what's happening; Nick is confused by the call. After she is released, she receives a series of angry messages from Bobbi. Unsure how to reply, Frances looks over old correspondence between them, trying to find comfort in them. She visits her father but finds him wandering around town drunk and his house is in worse condition than last time. Back in Dublin, she meets with Bobbi to reconcile - and, at home, reaches out again to Nick.