Locke

He learns Bethan, the colleague with whom he had an affair seven months earlier, has gone into premature labour. He is due to supervise the largest non-nuclear concrete pour in European history back in Birmingham that evening. Despite the looming professional responsibility and his family's football night, he decides to drive to London to be with Bethan.

He chooses to abandon the football plan and push on to London to be with Bethan during childbirth. He struggles with the fear of repeating his father's abandonment, even though his relationship with Bethan is complicated. He commits to being there for the birth.

From the moment the engine starts, Locke launches a relentless stream of phone calls. He speaks with Gareth, his boss, and Donal, his trainee, as well as Bethan and his wife Katrina to relay updates. By the end of the drive, he has logged 36 calls with various colleagues and family members.

Gareth fires him from the job, informing him that his absence cannot be tolerated. The professional collapse mirrors the personal turmoil as he hurtles toward London. He presses on, determined to reach Bethan anyway.

Katrina bans him from returning home after learning of the infidelity and his decision to drive away. The home front closes ranks as the marriage falters. He remains focused on Bethan and the unborn child.

Eddie calls to beg him to come back and watch the football match. The request pits family loyalty against his new commitment to Bethan. Locke weighs his choices and keeps moving toward the hospital.

Locke coaches Donal through the preparation of the pour from the road, guiding him through setbacks and logistical hurdles. He manages to frame decisions and priorities despite not being on site. The line between leadership and dependence blurs as the project depends on his guidance.

He imagines a conversation with his dead father, who appears as a passenger in the car. He berates the father for abandoning the family and vows not to repeat that mistake. The inner dialogue reinforces his determination to be present for his own son.

To allow the 225+ concrete trucks to access the site, the council head Cassidy and the local PC Davids coordinate road closures. The logistical pressure mounts as the schedule hinges on securing the route to reach the pour site in time. Locke becomes a conduit for information between the road and the project.

As he nears the capital, Bethan calls to share the sound of their baby during labour. Her voice anchors his purpose and tempers the driving tension. The moment confirms that the birth is underway and he must stay focused on arriving.

Near the hospital, the birth proceeds and Bethan's baby is delivered successfully. The newborn's arrival affirms the immediate reason for his journey and validates his decision to be there. The moment marks a personal triumph amid the professional upheaval earlier in the drive.

The two-hour journey ends with Locke reaffirming his vow not to abandon his family. He resolves to balance responsibility and compassion, accepting the personal and professional consequences. The drive concludes with a renewed sense of accountability and a commitment to his wife and child.