Church of England

In 1940, Jon Darrow, a man who has played many parts, returns to the world he once renounced. But faced with many unforeseen temptations, he fails to control his psychic powers. Corruption lies in wait for him, threatening his future as a priest.

In 1963, when traditional values are under attack, Venetia, a young woman, becomes involved with the Dean of Starbridge Cathedral. But as a married man, he has nothing to offer her, and Venetia finds herself trapped in a web of love and lies.

In 1968, 26-year-old Nick Darrow, younger son of the psychic priest Jon Darrow, begins to realize that his life is a mess. To all appearances he is a sober-living young man, but in fact he is indulging in the sexual experimentation of his age and is in revolt against Church teaching.

Nicholas Darrow, a strong-willed and independent young man, has grown up under the shadow of the Church of England and the loving but watchful eye of his father, an Anglican priest. Like his father, he too has both a gift and a burden in the form of psychic abilities. Although his father warns him to nurture his special powers with care, Nicholas can see no harm in the occasional dazzling "psychic flourish" - until one results in a friend's attempted suicide.

Charles Ashworth is privileged, pampered, and pleased with himself. But when a catastrophe tears his life apart, his guilt drives him into the immoral and disordered life the Bishop of Starbridge has condemned so violently in others.

Charles Ashworth, the bishop of Starbridge, is a man of great accomplishment, confidence, and conviction, with a reputation as a no-nonsense bishop - until his beloved wife dies. Bereavement overwhelming his spiritual equilibrium, his strict morality is quickly revealed to him to be nothing more than a facade. Spiralling downwards, Ashworth knows he must find his way out of the maze of his own psyche. In doing so, he must face the absolute truths - both good and bad - of his past that may be the only keys to his future.