Patrick Hinde is a loving husband and caring father, but when his parents come to stay for a few fateful days one July he simply wants to flee from the difficult memories they provoke. Their departure leaves Patrick exhausted and overwhelmed. The last thing he remembers is strapping his toddler son, Daniel, into his car seat, ready to drop him off at the child minder on his way to work.
Five years later, in a village in south-west France, a young English woman is attracted to a withdrawn man who calls himself Patrice. He has no wife, no child, and he refuses ever to get inside a car. Leonie is certain that love will heal his emotional wounds, but Patrice repeatedly evades his damaged past.
When Leonie eventually discovers his incomprehensible and fatal act of forgetfulness, will she be able to forgive him? And is it ever too late to change? These are just some of the questions Isabelle Grey explores in this suspenseful and thought-provoking novel.