Summary

In Part II, “2008, “The Law of Equal Areas in Equal Time,” it is October of 2008 when Dimi returns to Aldleigh and finds the place changed. He wanders through town searching for his old acquaintances.

Meanwhile, Thomas sits at home trying to write his newest novel. He received some acclaim for his last book and hopes his authorial career is taking off. In the meantime, he keeps up “his column in the Essex Chronicle” (187). Maria’s ghost continues to visit him, and he often talks to her. Thomas also keeps up with Grace via email as she is now living in London. When Anne falls ill with cancer, he asks Grace to come home, promising to collect her from the station.

When Dimi visits Thomas, they catch up. Dimi has finished translating Maria’s diary. Maria discovered a comet in Cassiopeia. The astronomer Vincent...