Chapter Twenty-Three through Chapter Twenty-Seven Summary

Chapter Twenty-Three finds Shell surprised when she arrives at Duggan's field to find the crops have been cut, so there is no cover. Soon, Declan comes in his car, and drives her to Goat Island along the back roads, and takes her swimming. Suddenly, Shell feels something moving inside of her, and she knows she is pregnant. Ignoring it, she and Declan swim, and he takes her to a cave he used to play in. He admits couples now come here to make love, and she questions inwardly if he has brought Bridie here. Shell begins to sing, and Declan again makes love to her, as she thinks of other things to keep her mind off her pregnancy. Declan orgasms, and as they relax, Declan talks of Ireland as a hellhole, and he notes Coolbar...