Home at Seven

A City of London banker and treasurer of his social club, Preston returns home to find he has been missing for 24 hours and cannot remember the day. He is seen taking money from the club safe and lies about his Monday night whereabouts, placing him at the center of suspicion. His financial strain, linked to his father's embezzlement, adds motive and pressure as the mystery unfolds.

A doctor who becomes Preston's confidant in the memory-recovery process. He guides the patient through recalling details and advises on the legal route, acting as a rational intermediary between the suspect and the investigation. His role is to help translate memory into usable narrative for the defense.

Preston's wife, who is aware of the couple's financial strain and the possible money troubles linked to his family. She cooperates with the solicitor and police, contributing to the unraveling of the alibi while managing concern for her husband. Her testimony helps illuminate the couple's finances and motives.

A military figure connected to the social world of the story. Though not central to the crime itself, his presence adds a layer of authority and order surrounding the investigation. His involvement hints at broader social pressures in the setting.

The police inspector who questions Preston and oversees the investigation. He collects evidence, weighs testimonies, and guides the pursuit of the truth, often navigating the tension between memory and fact. He is a key driver in moving the plot toward resolution.

A barmaid who provides critical insight into Preston's daily routine, enabling a breakthrough in the case. Her testimony helps place the missing hours into a concrete pattern, influencing how the investigators understand the memory gaps. Her role is pivotal in linking current events to what happened Monday.

Peggy is part of the social circle connected to the case and linked to the Dobson family. Her presence adds another human dimension to the investigation and the social network surrounding Preston. She represents the community ties that frame the crime's context.

A solicitor who advises Preston toward a robust defense and recommends using counsel to tell the truth. He mediates between legal strategy and the social pressure surrounding the case. His guidance helps shape the narrative that reaches the police.

The wife of Major Watson who becomes a conduit for information about family finances in the broader story. She reveals that her husband has faced financial strain connected to a family embezzlement, adding context to the moral and economic pressures in the plot.