In Look Back in Anger, the protagonist, Jimmy, has an affair with his wife Alison's friend Helena. Their sordid little tryst begins not long after Alison takes off in the hope of finding the peace and tranquility she can never find with her abusive husband.

It comes as something as a surprise that Jimmy and Helena should have an affair, given the unpleasant language they used about each other. Jimmy, in true misogynist fashion, calls Helena a "bitch," as well as an "evil-minded little virgin." For her part, Helena—quite accurately, we might think—describes Jimmy as "unpleasant," "offensive," and "tiresome."

And yet, despite their apparent mutual animosity, Jimmy and Helena settle down as man and wife, with Helena's belongings having replaced Alison's in the flat. But even this arrangement is not to Jimmy's liking. In a hopelessly romantic gesture, he plans to close down his sweet stall at the market and run off with Helena.

However, Jimmy's plans are thrown into turmoil by the sudden return of Alison. His response to seeing his wife standing in the doorway is one of indifference and contempt. But Alison and Jimmy are destined to be together, and so Alison's return represents the end of Jimmy's affair with Helena.