The Loney

The Loney is a secluded and dangerous coastline located in northwestern England, between the Wyre and the Lune rivers which empty into the Irish sea. At the Loney, high tide occurs twice daily and is extremely powerful, regularly killing fishermen. The beach contains various decrepit structures such as a "pillbox" intended for defense during war. Few people venture onto the Loney due to its inhospitable conditions, but the characters find it conducive for a religious retreat. Historically, families believed the sea air benefitted sick children and used the Loney as a quarantine site. The group hopes the site may have a similar effect on Hanny.

The Loney's isolation and ominous power make it a defining factor in the story, both in terms of plot and symbolically. Rain and other dangerous weather conditions are constant, often restricting the characters from venturing outside and thus fostering tensions between the...