Britannia Seven, Britain's runaway space station, is orbiting the earth at 35,000 mph. On board, Gertrude and Clive await a rescue attempt by a space shuttle.

Mrs Noah is still marooned in Britannia Seven. The rescue vehicle has docked in the space ship, but has damaged a tank, so some of the space travellers can't return to earth.

Realising that they may remain in space for some time, Mrs Noah and her companions move into part of the living accommodation provided for interstellar travellers.