The Durant School of Dance

The Durant School of Dance is one of the novel's primary settings. The Durant sisters' mother founded the school in 1986. After she and her husband died in a car accident, Dara and Marie inherited the school. With the help of Dara's husband, Charlie, they have kept the school running for many years. The sisters teach, and Charlie manages the office.

Eight months prior to the narrative present, Marie moves out of the family home and into the school attic. She spends most of her time in the attic either alone, or with Derek.

While the school was once a place of peace and harmony for Dara, Marie's increasingly odd behavior and Derek's constant presence become disruptive. Dara does not like being at the school because it means she will have to interact with Derek.

By the end of the novel, Marie leaves the school...