Heron is a 65-year-old divorced man living alone in 2022. He thrives on routine, keeping his house meticulously clean and carefully organizing his days. In 1982, he is a 25-year-old husband and father who prefers to follow rules and avoids creating a fuss. He finds it difficult to process tense emotional situations and communicate openly with his family.

Dawn is a 23-year-old mother who has lived a conventional, sheltered life in her local village. She married her husband because it was expected of her and focuses her energy on caring for her young daughter. Meeting a new friend awakens desires she has long suppressed, prompting her to evaluate what she genuinely wants out of life.

Maggie is an adult working mother in 2022 who commutes to an office job in London. She manages the busy schedules of her two children and maintains a close, predictable relationship with her aging father. Having grown up without her mother, she experiences moments of boredom and loneliness despite her stable family life.

Hazel is a confident, outgoing teacher who has recently moved to the village in 1982. She has traveled abroad and comes from a higher social class than many of the locals. More experienced with the world, she understands her own identity and the social disapproval that comes with it.

Conor is Maggie's practical and efficient husband whom she met at university. He takes his role as a father seriously, readily managing childcare tasks and organizing the household when necessary. He encourages his wife to communicate more openly with her family about difficult topics.

Tom is the 14-year-old son of Maggie and Conor. He is tall, confident, and frequently patronizes his mother as he seeks independence. He desires a life broader than the predictable routines his parents maintain.

Olivia is Maggie and Conor's eight-year-old daughter. She is a cheerful, high-energy child who loves family traditions and looks forward to holidays. She relies heavily on the stable routines her parents provide.

Jill is a girl from Hazel's school days. She was Hazel's first love, a relationship discovered through a diary that led to severe consequences from Hazel's family.

Sue is a woman attending a support group for lesbian mothers. She shares her story about an abusive husband and unscrupulous lawyers, providing a warning about how the legal system treats women in her situation.