Chapter 3 Summary

Vinnie reads in a chic restaurant, waiting for perennially late Edwin Francis, her oldest friend in London, children's book editor, writer and formidable critic. Vinnie appears almost girlish in dress and Edwin resembles an artificially aged child or Hobbit, afflicted by depression and alcoholism. Edwin is acquainted with London's artistic community and opens with delicious, sharp-witted, sharp-tongued gossip. Lady Posy Billings assures him Lady Rosemary Radley has taken up with Vinnie's colleague, Mr. Turner. Vinnie thinks this unlikely, although Fred is sufficiently good-looking for the extremely pretty and charming television and film actress to want to show off to her crowd of admirers. Rosemary has a history of impetuous, disastrous affairs. As an American, boring Fred is exotic.

Edwin insists the coupling is Vinnie's fault, because Fred and Rosemary met at her party. Feeling sorry for her compatriot, Vinnie had invited Fred to...