Sometimes pigs die, and sometimes people. Evacuated Freddy struggles to feel and do the right thing but dealing with loss is very hard.
Evacuation had seemed traumatic, to be placed alone at the age of eight in a reduced smallholding with an elderly couple, but Freddy has found affection there which he didn't experience at home. Moreover, he's been without his manipulative cousin, Norman. Now a tragedy brings Norman back into Freddy's life and has lasting implications for them both.