Loyalties

Lily is an upper‑class Englishwoman who relocates with her children to join her physician husband in a Canadian town. She navigates marriage strain, social expectations, and a desire to protect her family as she builds new connections. Her evolving stance against violence reveals quiet resilience.

David is a town doctor whose sophistication masks a troubling past and controlling tendencies. His interactions with the local community reveal a pattern of power and threat that culminates in a violent confrontation. His presence drives the central conflict of the narrative.

Rosanne is a bar waitress whose life intersects with Lily’s as she endures hardship and violence. Her relationship with Lily becomes a source of mutual support, and her family adds depth to the town’s social fabric. She embodies resilience within a challenging environment.

Eddy is Rosanne's partner whose drinking and volatility contribute to the couple’s tense dynamic. He seeks stability but remains entangled in a cycle of conflict that tests those around him. His role amplifies the dangers faced by the women in the story.

Leona is Rosanne's daughter who is caught in the fallout of domestic violence. Her experience underscores the vulnerability of younger family members and the stakes of accountability. She becomes a driving factor in the conflict’s escalation.

Robert is Lily's son who is navigating life in a new country while carrying the weight of family upheaval. His perspective highlights the impact of adult actions on the next generation. He embodies innocence amid tension.

Nicholas is one of Lily's children adjusting to life in Canada and the disruption of family dynamics. His presence adds to the sense of a family trying to keep things together in a new environment.

Naomi is another of Lily's children whose experiences contribute to the family’s emotional landscape during the upheaval. Her role emphasizes the household's varied responses to crisis.

Lisa is part of the Sutton/Ladouceur milieu, reflecting the town’s cultural mix and the children who witness adult conflicts. She represents a younger voice within the family’s social circle.

Beatrice is a member of the local community who adds texture to the town’s social network and helps establish the setting where private lives intersect with public events.

Frank is a local Mountie whose presence signals law and order within a tense environment and hints at the mechanisms of justice in the community.