Part 4, 1956-1960, Chapter 20 Summary

Johnny returns tanned and unrepentant and talking of someone named Susie on the trip. Aisling rejects him and then regrets it to Elizabeth, who advises apologizing and agreeing to play by his rules — as she had for seven years. Simon visits Elizabeth to express concern about Henry taking too much on himself at work and makes her uncomfortable by flirting. Encouraged by Elizabeth, who knows that Johnny has taken Susie to Majorca, Aisling goes to Kilgarret for a lonely Christmas. Sean tells her not to worry about them but to lead her own life. No one in Kilgarret mentions the Murrays. Back in London, Aisling is re-hired and given a raise. She hears of Henry making a public scene about not getting a raise and cannot convince him that they have enough money. He feels put down.

Ethel...