Chapter 3, Pinch: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Summary

In Part 1, Jericho moves to a guest house in the town of Bletchley. Bletchley is a depressing, railroad town. The guesthouse owner, Mrs. Ethel Armstrong, prepares for Jericho's stay. She moves his books, which are boring math books. She grows bored of snooping in his things. She is shocked because Jericho pays up front without a fight and does not ask for change. He also gives her his ration book, which allows Armstrong to buy a lot of groceries. She demands them of the guesthouse boarders, collecting food for herself. Jericho agrees to her strict rules.

Alone in his room, Jericho remembers receiving a handshake and check from Winston Churchill for his work. He falls asleep and dreams about when he met Claire on the train. He is instantly attracted to her but she does...