A young man is killed in a traffic accident at a busy intersection of a Welsh seaside resort. Through shifting time sequences and multiple points of view, this detailed novel follows a small group of onlookers whose perceptions, thoughts, and memories--both pertinent and unconnected--are triggered by the tragic scene. The witnessed trauma prompts a deep reflection on the nature of power--the third temptation of Christ. Utilizing the gaudy vulgarity of the resort at the height of the season as a backdrop, this story underscores the power of chance, the ever-present threat of misfortune, and the temptations inherent in the exercise of power.