#63 Howard Street, Woolwich

Jude and Emma's apartment on Howard Street in Woolwich is a the central location for much of the novel's action. It was a street with many tenants that came and went, and the standard of living in the neighborhood varied. For example, a group of drug addicts lived a few doors down and caused concern in the neighborhood. Barbara Walker, a work colleague of Jude's, shared the apartment with Jude and Emma until Will arrived on the scene and Barbara moved out.

The novel begins in this spot during the present day when the skeletal remains of a baby are found buried in the garden just outside the apartment. Jude and Emma have long since left the building as have most of the other residents on the street. The site is being demolished for new construction. Tall chain-link fencing surrounds the building site and yellow police...