Summary

In “163. Architecture as destiny,” Natalie and Frank buy a new house. An economic crash rocks London and bankers like Frank are harshly criticized. At home with the children, not working, Natalie considers starting a blog with her account of recent financial events from the perspective of a banker’s wife. Each time Natalie returns to work, she feels she must pretend that has not had children. From the advice in the “Woman” section of the newspaper, Natalie decides she must simply manage her time better.

In “165. Stage directions,” Frank calls Natalie to bed. She is working on her laptop. In “166. Time speeds up,” time seems to be moving quickly now. Natalie thinks about the clockface, used in elementary schools to depict the historical age of the earth. In “167. Doubt,” Natalie begins buying foods that remind her of childhood from an American minimart. She...