Summary

In the chapter titled “One,” Patricia is introduced. Patricia sees the mist when she opens the curtains on the day before she and Richard, her husband, are going to move to a house in Durham. Patricia has told Richard, who suffers with memory loss, little about the move. The livestock has already been sold, and the developers have demolished the stables and other farm buildings.

Patricia calls for Beauty, who she knows is preparing breakfast and dressing Richard. Beauty always must be called twice. So, Patricia calls out again with an emphasis on the second syllable of her name. Patricia notes that in Durham, Beauty will have driving lessons and lessons to improve her English so she can get a better job. Patricia tells Beauty she must go and see Mr. Ford. Beauty responds that she will pass along the information to Bheki. She...