Cromarty Crose

Cromarty Crose is a new street and Portland Meadows development near the railroad tracks in the town of Widnes, England. It is the principal setting for the novel, and is where Damian, Anthony, and their father have moved following the death of Maureen. Cromarty Crose appears to be a middle-class neighborhood, and borders a nearby railroad. The neighborhood is home to Eddie, a community police officer, Terry, who works in IT, and a houseful of Mormons who are living simply and carrying on missionary work. The people in the neighborhood are very friendly with each other, and it is Terry who organizes a meet-the-neighbors gathering.

The hermitage

The hermitage is a small structure constructed by Damian out of cardboard boxes from his family’s move near the railroad tracks. The hermitage is inspired by Saint Rose of Lima, who lived in her parents' garden. The hermitage is...