Summary

Chapter 1 is narrated by Blix. Blix is an 85 year-old woman who is terminally ill with cancer. She has agreed to attend her niece’s annual post-Christmas tea because Houndy, Blix's live-in friend, convinced Blix that she would regret having not seeing her family for the last time if she did not go. Blix is shocked when she sees Noah, who is her great-nephew, and his fiancée, Marnie MacGraw, walk into the room. Blix watches as the family greets her niece, Marnie. Marnie refuses to take any of the Welsh rarebit prepared by Wendy Spinnaker, her soon-to-be mother-in-law. Marnie believes it is made from rabbit. Blix notices that Noah has abandoned Marnie to go play pool with his best friend Simon Whipple, so Blix brings Marnie to where she is sitting.

Marnie tells Blix that she is ready to marry and settle down...