4. A Disappearance

It's 1952 and ex-borstal teenagers Joyce and Charlie have been taken on as architectural apprentices by the Mayhoods at their farm in Surrey. When old Mr Hollis, the farm manager, disappears, Joyce fears her past is about to catch up with her.

But what starts out as a seemingly straightforward story of good intentions and opportunity rapidly turns into a darker story full of secrets and lies.

And yet through tragedy come lessons learnt and a determination to hold on to one’s dreams.

Benjamin Wood’s first novel, The Bellwether Revivals, was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and the Commonwealth Book Prize, and won Le Prix du Roman Fnac.

Read by Rupert Evans.

Abridger: Sara Davies

Producer: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2023.