Gösta is a lorry driver and has been married to Birgitta for eight years. Their marriage is only held together by their daughter. Gösta picks up girls along the roads and during a drive to Malmö he stumbles on the singing actress Irene. Gösta is captivated by her romantic presence and her joy of life. Besides picking up women, Gösta is sometimes affected by sudden seizures. His wife is unaware of this.

The sisters Britta and Ellinor live with their grandfather, music professor Libergius, teacher and leader of the city's orchestra association. In the city there is also a youthful jazz band - to the professor's horror.

The young girl Lisbet lives on the farm Tolfmansgården together with her mother, her older brother Jerker and their grandparents.