Present Tense

A story of rape and revenge

Loren Stamford and her husband have prosperous jobs and a secure life in New York with their two adopted children. However, Loren’s comfortable world is shattered by the appearance of Bucky Chadwin, the man who escaped conviction for her rape many years before. Chadwin, a successful executive himself, is set to join Loren’s community, where social circles intersect at the golf and country clubs. How can Loren reach an understanding with Chadwin that enables them to ignore each other? Should she reveal her secret to her husband? Should they simply leave town? Chadwin blocks the possibility that they can ignore each other, and perversely blames Loren for the pain of his trial. Loren cannot resolve the tortured relationship and as distorted rumours about the past leak out, she sees her reputation and her life in ruins. A final meeting at the Stamfords’ remote summer house ends in tragedy, but there is a twist in the tale.