Chapter 1 Summary

This chapter is divided into four sections. The first section opens with a description of Annabel Christopher and her family's relocation to Rome. The remaining three sections explain the events over the past twelve years leading up to the Christopher's move to Rome.

In the first section, we discover that Annabel Christopher, a British actress, has just moved to a flat in Rome. She is accompanied by her baby, Carl and her husband, Frederick. In the scene in question, Annabel is in the flat while her baby is sleeping in the next room. Her husband's oldest friend Billy lets himself into the flat and it is clear that Annabel is not particularly fond of Billy. Nonetheless, he behaves as though he is within his rights to come and go from the Christopher's residence as he pleases.

In the second section, Annabel, Frederick and...