Fr Seamas O Conachain, the local parish priest, is doing his best under difficult circumstances. His old friend Fr Micheal O Ruairc, recently released from prison after serving time for paedophile offences, is staying with him on instruction from the bishop. O Conachain must deal with his distaste for O Ruairc's behaviour while also protecting his own reputation by protecting O Ruairc's secret. His loyal parishioners suspect nothing, least of all Marcas Mac Caba, a devout, traditional Catholic, whose main preoccupation is the disparaging attitude of the media in this country towards religion. Bill and Sharon de Brun and their son Liam seem like a happy family and regularly attend mass; however all is not as it seems. Bill is having an affair with Aoife, his best friend's wife, and as the affair progresses their secret meetings become more and more daring. Meanwhile, Fr O Ruairc knows only too well that he is an unwelcome guest in O Conachain's house but he has little choice but to make the most of the situation and to abide by the conditions laid down by his host. So many secrets cannot hope to stay secret for long.