Summary

In Chapter 1, Alice met her date, Felix, at a bar. He asked about her life, and her reasons for moving to town. Alice said she was staying in a local house for free, until the owners found a buyer. They talked briefly about their families. Felix's mother died recently. Felix worked in a factory. After a few more drinks, they went to Alice's house. They had a glass of wine, and Felix asked her about her writing. She said she was a novelist. Eventually they went upstairs. In her room, they both knew "what was about to happen" (14). Felix left.

In Chapter 2, Alice emails her friend, Eileen. She feels bad that Eileen is still in Dublin, paying such high rent. She muses about Dublin, and about "right-wing politics" (17). She relays an anecdote about visiting a local convenience shop. She writes briefly about her...