Summary

These chapters open with Nell in her hotel room and having a flashback to the weeks just prior to her trip to Paris. After hearing a conversation between her coworkers discussing how Nell will use her annual bonus “to put it into a savings account…after doing a spreadsheet” (24) and after her mother reminding her of how she seldom takes risks, Nell impetuously purchases the tickets, only informing Peter about the trip after the decision. Peter tepidly reacts, responding with, “Sure babe. Why not? Nice one” (17).

Returning to the present, Nell receives a text from Magda inquiring how the trip is going. Nell lies and tells her she is having a great time. Nell goes and has a meal at a local cafe by herself, feeling embarrassed at first that she is eating alone but then realizing that there are many single...