Forgetful and Forlorn

Michael Fitzpatrick is a highly successful prosecuting barrister who is greatly respected and feared in equal measure by many people in the legal profession. When he suddenly announces his premature retirement at the height of his powers, many of his legal colleagues are very surprised. In reality, he wants to enjoy life more with his beloved wife, Carol, who has recently developed progressive dementia. Soon after relocating from London to the Suffolk countryside, Carol contracts ovarian cancer which kills her in just a few months. Utterly devastated with grief at her loss, Michael lives alone in their expensive, elegant house, helped greatly by his devoted daughter, Jean (and to a lesser extent by his not so sympathetic son-in-in law, James). But Michael soon shows all the signs of pre-senile dementia, and a consultant neurologist diagnoses Alzheimer's disease. Michael gets lost and confused on several occasions, and eventually he is persuaded by his loving daughter to move into a care home especially designed for relatively 'young' people such as himself. But two years later, the coronavirus pandemic arrives and literally destroys the usual routine of the home. He becomes even more depressed and greatly misses the regular close contact with Jean and his two young grandchildren. But soon matters come to a head, following which Jean and James finally realise the true nature of his illness.