Summary

In Chapter 1, Alice Crane and her young companion Kasim arrive at their grandparent's home, Kington, for a family vacation. Kasim is the 20-year-old son of Alice's former boyfriend. Alice invited him while back in London as Alice wanted a travelling companion and it gives Kasim the opportunity to get away from from his overbearing mother and his often neglectful father. As Alice is busy looking for the keys to the house, Kasim stands around bored, wondering if he made the right decision to come. They notice that another car is nearby and they assume that Alice's sister Harriet has arrived early and is taking a walk along the beach. As Alice continues to search, her other sister Fran and her children, Ivy and Arthur, arrive. Alice asks about Fran's husband but she tells Alice that he will not be joining the...