When Ellie Quicke's friend Felicity witnesses a pit bull savage a young mother in the park she goes into shock and calls on Ellie for help. Meanwhile, Ellie's personal life is heading for meltdown as her difficult but endearing aunt Drusilla is fading fast, daughter Diana is taking dramatic steps to ensure that she inherits the family wealth, and Thomas--upon whom Ellie has come to rely for companionship and support--wants to leave the parish.