Abercorn Terrace, 1880-1913

Abercorn Terrace is the childhood home of the main Partiger children, and the adult home of Colonel Partiger and Eleanor Partiger, who cares for her father in his old age. It is described as a terraced Victorian house in a quiet part of west London, in a wealthy area of the town. It has at least three floors, as Martin's room is at the top of the house, on a floor above the one occupied by Mrs Partiger in 1880 — the year she died.

Amongst the downstairs rooms there is the Colonel's study, where he plays chess with Eleanor and Martin, and a drawing room where the children play, and where Eleanor has her writing desk. Abercorn Terrace is also the home of Crosby, the Partigers' live-in maid, who lives there for forty years before moving out after the death of the Colonel and the sale of...