Summary

Christine wakes up one morning to discover that her husband, Ray, did not come home from his evening out with a friend. She waits to hear from him but has no message or news. The friend she thought he had arranged to see has left a phone message to say that he is sorry they did not meet. Ray's work believe he has gone away on sabbatical and the police are sympathetic but unhelpful.

Ray is gone and there is no reason to think he might come back again soon. From being settled and content, Christine's life lies in tatters. Until she encounters a young man tending a cat injured by a speeding car. Against her instincts, Christine is drawn to the young man and strange, fragile association grows between them, one which gradually alters Christine's life.