Summary

In Part 2, Chapter 1, Nancy Sheridan worries about the “smell of cooking oil” from her chip shop drifting upstairs into her home or out into the surrounding neighborhood (55). Her children Miriam, Laura, and Gerard and the Market Square neighbors often complain about the smell. Since her husband George’s death five years prior, Nancy has kept the business afloat largely on her own. Gerard is supposed to help, but often spends his time drinking at Jim Farrell’s pub in Rafter Street.

While Nancy is closing up, a couple bangs on the window demanding she serve them. Unable to get them to leave, Nancy calls Jim. He comes over and deescalates the situation. Afterwards, they make plans to meet up at Jim’s house above the pub. They have been seeing each other in secret for months. In December, she and Jim decided to get...