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Set in post-WWII suburban London, this debut novel follows the troubled journey of Lewis Aldridge, a young man grappling with profound loss. After the war, Lewis adjusts to having his father, Gilbert, back home, but their lives are shattered when Lewis's mother drowns, plunging him into isolation. Gilbert, consumed by grief, remarries a year later, leaving Lewis's sadness to fester throughout his adolescence. In a moment of rage, he sets fire to a church and serves two years in prison. Upon returning home, he seeks redemption but finds himself ostracized by the community. The influential Carmichael family poses a significant threat: the abusive patriarch Dicky, who aims to humiliate Lewis; the alluring Tamsin, who wields her charm manipulatively; and the innocent Kit, whose affection confounds him. As mutual distrust escalates between Lewis and the townspeople, Kit emerges as a potential savior. The author’s fluid prose captures Lewis's anguish with striking authenticity. Born in London to a creative family, the author transitioned from screenwriting to novel writing, culminating in this compelling exploration of grief and redemption.