After five years, lawyer Hugh Gwynne's most difficult case has
finally come to court. His client Tom Deacon is claiming damages for
post-traumatic stress after a car accident in which he witnessed the
death of his young daughter. The case is going well, it seems certain
Tom will win the compensation that will enable him to pick up the pieces
of his shattered life. Then Hugh receives an anonymous letter that
throws him into an impossible dilemma. To stay on the case is unethical,
to withdraw will threaten its success, and Tom Deacon, revealing
himself in an entirely new light, makes it clear that such treachery
will not be forgiven.
For Hugh the dilemma is intensified by the contrast between their
lives: Tom tormented by flashbacks, jobless, with a broken marriage and
two children he hardly sees; Hugh with what he regards as a blessed
existence, a rewarding life as a jobbing solicitor and an intensely
happy marriage to Lizzie, with whom he has two adopted children, Lou
away on her gap year, and fragile, sensitive Charlie who seems to have
overcome his personal demons.
Then one night Hugh's life changes for ever. His happiness is
snatched away, and he, like Tom, must face a lifetime of
haunting memories.
finally come to court. His client Tom Deacon is claiming damages for
post-traumatic stress after a car accident in which he witnessed the
death of his young daughter. The case is going well, it seems certain
Tom will win the compensation that will enable him to pick up the pieces
of his shattered life. Then Hugh receives an anonymous letter that
throws him into an impossible dilemma. To stay on the case is unethical,
to withdraw will threaten its success, and Tom Deacon, revealing
himself in an entirely new light, makes it clear that such treachery
will not be forgiven.
For Hugh the dilemma is intensified by the contrast between their
lives: Tom tormented by flashbacks, jobless, with a broken marriage and
two children he hardly sees; Hugh with what he regards as a blessed
existence, a rewarding life as a jobbing solicitor and an intensely
happy marriage to Lizzie, with whom he has two adopted children, Lou
away on her gap year, and fragile, sensitive Charlie who seems to have
overcome his personal demons.
Then one night Hugh's life changes for ever. His happiness is
snatched away, and he, like Tom, must face a lifetime of
haunting memories.