summary:
17-year-old Nicholas survived his parents’ supposedly amicable divorce. But the situation remains tense, especially for her mother, Kate. Meanwhile, his father, Peter, a lawyer eager to get into politics, has a new life with Beth and their young son. As Peter faces crucial decisions about his future career and Beth is completely preoccupied with her motherhood, Kate emerges to inform Peter that Nicholas has dropped out of school. So Nicholas decides to move in with his father, hoping a new school and a fresh start will ease his anxiety. Peter and Beth provide all the reassurance and encouragement they can. But when Nicholas’ troubles threaten to come between them and bring demons from the past to the fore, finding a way forward becomes more difficult than any political struggle Peter has ever seen. For her part, Beth is torn by conflicting responsibilities: loyalty to Peter, constant care for the baby, and support for a troubled teenager she barely knows. Meanwhile, hope is hard for Nicholas, everyday life is a torment, and his only refuge is his memories of the simple joys of his childhood.