Kathleen Drover is a 44-year-old wife and mother who considers her dependability the foundation of her family. The stress of the London Blitz forces her family to relocate to the countryside, leaving her feeling unsettled during a brief return to the city. Upon finding a mysteriously delivered letter on a hall table, she experiences severe anxiety and recalls an intimidating relationship from August 1916.

The Fiancé is a soldier from Kathleen's past who goes missing and is presumed killed during World War I. He is an intimidating figure who speaks to a young Kathleen without warmth and leaves her feeling completely isolated from humanity. He extracts a binding, sinister promise from her to wait for his return regardless of the circumstances.

William is Kathleen's husband, whom she marries when she is 32 years old following a long period of depressive isolation. He offers a respectable and orderly life, symbolized by the pearls he gifts her upon their marriage. He and Kathleen settle in Kensington and build a relatively peaceful routine until the aerial bombings begin.

The three sons of Kathleen and William Drover represent the family unit they have built over 12 years of marriage. They are currently relocated to the countryside to avoid the air raids. The birth of the youngest son involved a serious illness for Kathleen that left a lasting physical impact on her.

Kathleen's mother is a protective figure from her youth who notices that the soldier never truly considers her daughter's feelings. She represents the safe, nurturing domesticity that a 19-year-old Kathleen wishes she could escape to instead of becoming engaged.

Kathleen's sister currently lives with the Drover family in the countryside. Like their mother, she embodies comfort and safety. She recently knit a pink wool jumper for Kathleen while sitting around the fire, offering a domestic warmth that contrasts with the cold, empty London house.

The Caretaker is an employee shared among the neighbors in Kensington. He is currently on holiday and does not check in often, resulting in the dusty, neglected state of the Drover house. He is the only person other than Kathleen who holds a key to the property.

The Taxi Driver sits in the cab that Kathleen enters at the end of her visit. He operates his vehicle in the city, serving as the driver Kathleen intends to use to reach the train station and escape the oppressive atmosphere of her empty London home.