Northern Lights

It’s Friday night in Dublin, and the rain is torrential. From his flat overlooking the River Liffey, Lloyd notices a young woman standing on the bridge below his window. She’s getting soaked in the rain but isn’t moving. Fearing for her safety, Lloyd goes down to ask the woman – Áine – if she’s okay. They talk and, after Lloyd reassures Áine that he’s not a serial killer, she takes shelter in his flat. Two lost souls, they slowly start connecting but even as they open up, it’s clear that each of them is holding something back – they each have a secret. Through flashbacks, we meet Áine’s family, whose calls she won’t answer in the present. We also see Áine with her boyfriend Seán. Back in the flat, Lloyd mentions that his girlfriend Denise is currently walking the Camino. But we get the sense that all is not well in Lloyd and Denise’s relationship. Áine decides to spend the night in Lloyd’s flat. She reassures him that she wasn’t going to jump from the bridge. She was standing there because she knew someone that did.

In a flashback, Áine searches desperately for Seán, who has gone missing. When he is found, it’s clear he’s struggling with his mental health and needs help. In the present, Lloyd and Áine decide not to part ways just yet, and go for breakfast together. They continue to open up and Áine shares her dream of becoming a children’s author with Lloyd. Meanwhile, on the Camino, a frustrated Denise deviates from the correct path. In flashback, Seán and Áine fight about his recovery – Áine’s concerned that Seán is trying to rush getting back into things after a hospital stay. Lloyd prepares dinner for Denise, hoping the romantic gesture will make space for the conversation they desperately need to have. But Denise is late, which angers Lloyd. He looks out the window and is frustrated to see her speaking to a random man on the bridge. They don’t know it, but this is Seán. When Denise eventually comes up to the apartment, Lloyd picks a fight and Denise walks out. So much for that conversation. Áine and Seán have a heartfelt conversation about their relationship. In the present, Áine wants to go to the pub. She asks Lloyd if he wants to join. He wonders if it’s a good idea. Áine thinks it’s a great idea.

Alone in the pub; Áine remembers Seán’s ‘F**k It’ List and his dream to see the Northern Lights. Lloyd arrives in the pub – he doesn’t want to halt their conversation just yet. In Spain, Denise’s wrong turn leads her into the path of an aggressive dog and as she runs for shelter, she twists her ankle. In a shed, hurt and afraid, Denise rings Lloyd. Lloyd does his best to comfort her from afar. But just as he’s about to ask her what they are to each other now – Denise hears someone coming and hangs up. Áine asks Lloyd how he and Denise first got together. We see Lloyd and Denise’s first meeting at a ‘Karaoke Klash’ competition and the first sparks of attraction between them. But then we see a flashback from a more recent time – of Denise telling Lloyd that she needs space. A song playing in the pub plunges Áine into a painful memory of a nasty fight with Seán’s mother, Pauline. In the present, it’s clear Áine and Lloyd are lonely and hurting. Instead of going their separate ways, they decide to get chips and keep talking. On the Camino, Denise has finally limped to her hostel for the night – and is shocked to find her mother there. In Dublin, Lloyd invites Áine back to the flat, and she accepts.

Lloyd and Áine sing karaoke in his flat. In flashback; we see Lloyd and Denise; very much in love; host a housewarming barbecue for their closest friends. But the fun is punctured when the conversation turns to having children. Tensions rise as it becomes clear that Lloyd is struggling with his and Denise’s decision to not have children. Later; Lloyd shares his conflicted feelings with Denise. Denise starts to reconsider her stance on having kids. In the present; fresh from the high of singing together; Lloyd and Áine kiss. Though they quickly break it off; they’re both left reeling. On the Camino; Denise tries to mend her fraught relationship with her mother. In Dublin; Lloyd tells Áine he’s not sure if Denise is still his girlfriend. We flashback to Denise telling Lloyd she is pregnant. They’re both overjoyed. On the Camino; Denise stares at a picture on her phone – of an ultrasound scan.

In flashback, we see Lloyd and Denise’s excitement at their 20 week scan. In the present, Lloyd and Áine admit they aren’t sure if they regret the kiss. But what do they do now? What does this mean for them both? Later that night, Lloyd texts Denise – he’s finally ready to accept that it’s over between them. In flashback, we see Lloyd and Denise preparing for the baby’s arrival. They host a gender reveal party, and are over the moon to learn they’re having a baby girl. The following morning, Lloyd gifts Áine a trip to go and see the Northern Lights. This extravagant gesture spooks Áine and, as the pair argue, Lloyd reveals that he knew more about Seán’s death than he’d let on. Áine is hurt and angered by this betrayal – she thought they were being honest with each other, but Lloyd has kept this secret from her the whole time. She goes to collect herself in the bathroom but then spots something that indicates Lloyd has kept a lot more from her. She confronts Lloyd about the lying, the secrets. Things get heated and he leaves the flat. Áine follows him and they have their first fully honest conversation, revealing the unspeakable loss that Lloyd has encountered. After Lloyd reveals all he knows about Seán’s death, Áine walks away. Lloyd lets her go.

Áine goes to Pauline’s house and they share a heartfelt conversation. She then goes to mend things with her own family. Denise arrives back early from the Camino – she’s open to the possibility of something with Lloyd. But when Lloyd tells her he kissed Áine; Denise makes it clear that he should leave. Áine experiences a moment of peace – for the first time since Seán’s death. There’s a hard road ahead; but she might be okay. Áine goes to Lloyd’s flat and they both make peace. They’re grateful to have met. Áine hints that Lloyd shouldn’t give up on Denise; specially given the loss they’ve both experienced. Inspired by this; Lloyd reconnects with Denise. They have a long; open conversation. They still love each other very much. Can they try again? They make love and then sing karaoke together.