David Collins (Lee Ingleby) is unexpectedly acquitted on a technicality having served seven years of a life sentence for the murder of his wife Tara. On the steps of the court he vows to bring to book those who lied at his original trial, to see the real killer jailed and more importantly, to regain custody of his two young children

David Collier walks down a long, dark road. It's the countryside in the dead of night – the whole scene is isolated and menacing and the roaring wind matches his turbulent emotions. Then up ahead David spots something that stops him in his tracks. The single blue light of a police car approaching.

Tom awakens from a night of heavy drinking and he tries to piece together details of the night before. His numerous, desperate calls to Melissa all remain unanswered. Relaxing after a hillside walk, Phil admits to David that he's been laid off. It's a return to form when David hands him some cash in an attempt to partly repay his debt of gratitude he feels towards his brother.

David's desperate attempt to earn money to support his children and repay his debts backfires when a tabloid newspaper sensationalises his story with the banner headline "Tara's drink and sex shame". Jack and Rosie are ashamed and only after pleading with them, does David convince them of his traduction.