Summary

In Chapter 20, Willy continued communicating with Praxis after their split. He wanted Mary back, and "Mary wanted to go back" (165). After Mary returned home, Praxis stayed with Colleen. She visited Mary weekly. During one visit, Willy tried raping Praxis. Praxis pushed him away, enjoying "the power she had over him" (168). Meanwhile, Praxis continued visiting Lucy. She made no improvement. The family discussed selling Holden Road.

Praxis visited Irma. She and Phillip were having problems. One night, Irma invited a man named Ivor to dinner. Praxis and Ivor got along. They slept together. Praxis thought nothing else would happen, but they soon began a relationship. Praxis got a job at the BBC.

As their relationship evolved, Praxis realized Ivor saw her as a "figment of [his] imagination" (178). He talked about his past, but was disinterested in hers. When she was promoted, he was resentful...