Summary

In Part 1, "September and July," sisters September and July narrate the day they leave home for the Settle House. They know they cannot turn back. As their mom, Sheela, drives, she cries. Knowing she blames them for what happened, the girls do not comfort her.

In "July," Chapter 1, July narrates from the first person. She, September, and Sheela arrive at their Aunt Ursa's house on the North York Moors. July feels scared seeing the Settle House. She wishes she knew what September was thinking. Sheela has also been on edge “ever since what happened at school” (9).

They search the debris-filled yard for the key. September presses her face against the window. Though she and July are only 10 months apart, they look nothing alike. July looks like Sheela. September looks like their father, Peter. "He drowned in the swimming pool of a hotel...