A Family Matter

At the court hearing, Dawn listens to a social worker say that her child is at risk—not a physical risk, but a moral one. During the lunch break, Heron’s solicitor tells him they must get tougher, or they will end up with shared custody. Heron thinks at first that the latter would not be a bad idea, but he changes his mind and authorizes his solicitor to pursue a more aggressive strategy.

At the court hearing, Heron’s lawyer asks Dawn questions about her sex life with Hazel and reads from Hazel’s letters to her. Dawn has no idea how he got the letters, since she kept them well hidden. The lawyer claims they show Dawn had plans to abandon her daughter, which Dawn denies. A psychiatrist testifies that in such a case, the daughter will inevitably be harmed. Dawn had thought the hearing would be fair and is devastated by what is unfolding.

One Saturday, Maggie is in bed with a cold, and Conor takes the children for a walk. Conor suggests that Maggie should call her father to discuss what is on her mind, but Maggie is unsure that dredging up the past will do any good.