Back in the present, Alice is on her way to visit Frankie in Brighton. Rosie and Alice walk to the door and are greeted by Frankie’s sister Sophie, followed by Frankie and his mother and father. They all go and sit in the garden while Sophie makes tea. Sophie comes out with tea and sandwiches, and they eat and talk. Frankie’s mother shows Alice upstairs and gives her a gift of a white lace nightgown. Alice learns that Sophie is 10, almost 11. Rosie leaves to drive back home.

Frankie takes her on a tour of his loft. Alice reflects that she’s wanted to have sex with him since she met him and thinks that she’s ready now. Because she knows that Sara the reporter will publish the story about her new life in a matter of weeks, she is trying to “fit a lot of things into a small amount of time” (236). Frankie stops before they have sex, voicing fears that he is worried he might hurt her because she’s a virgin.

Sophie comes and knocks on the door, interrupting them. Later that night, the family all has dinner together. After dinner, Frankie and Alice are left alone on the patio.