Originally Posted by
Son of Cain
I know life events can have profound effects on people, but I struggle to think Nicola would have been so broken by her experience. She has always been portrayed as as strong confident individual, and I accept that being beaten up by the gang could have had a profound effect on her, confidence. But I feel they are overdoing the way she has been affected by Naomi's presence in the village, especially now she knows that Naomi did not actually take part in the beating. The old Nicola may have have been more likely to set about Naomi. I wonder if this story would not have been better told with another character, like Lauel or Bernice?