Years after the tragedy, life at the Kochamma household has changed. With only Baby Kochamma and the cook Kochu Maria in the house, everything is run down and no longer cared for. The blue Plymouth is stopped outside unused, and the garden is overrun and uncared for. All Baby Kochamma and Kochu Maria do all day is to watch the television. Baby still pines over the priest, Father Mulligan, who she has been in love with since she was a young novice. He has kept up correspondence with her over the years. Four years before Rahel and Estha's return, the priest passed away. To date, Baby starts her diary each day with "P love you."
The Paradise Pickle and Preserve factory no longer exists. It has been taken over by the.....
