Following A Crack in The Line, Naia and Alaric are still in trouble. Unable, still, to figure out the mysterious alternate realities, they both sit and ponder. In both realities, the river floods and later, when they are both sitting on the Family Tree, they are transported to 1945, where the river has burst its banks worse than at home. Here, they meet and Aldous (a man who is alive in both their realities, although unkown to them) who hear is a little child, growing up with their Grandad Rayner, who they both watched die 5 years ago. BUT here after serveal trips Alaric comes alone, where after arguing with his family Aldous (an 11 year old) comes to the tree. Not seeing Alaric, he ponders around until, he sees a polystyrene bag. Suddenly Aldous slips, and hangs himself accidentally. Alaric attempts to help but, a few seconds from saving his life he is transported back to his reality. How can Alaric tell Naia? Did Aldous know all the answers? And why, does Naia keep receiving parcels in her Santa Hole, from A. Underwood? And how did Aldous know he was going to die?