pp.204-226 Summary

We return to the moments after Max's near-attack on Polly. Polly sits in Ursula's car and falls asleep while Ursula talks to Max. Ursula brings Polly inside, cleans and bandages her foot, which she cut on a shell outside, and gives her a sedative so she can sleep.

Polly wakes up with a scream back in Cyprus. Virginia Porcher, one of the conference organizers and a famous writer, hears her scream and comes to check on her. Virginia is very pleasant with Polly, who is somewhat overwhelmed at meeting one of her favorite writers. Polly will be helping Virginia with the writing workshop, and Virginia invites Polly to her room to go over the workshop schedule. They have a good conversation and Polly learns that Ursula saved Virginia after a brain aneurysm. Virginia offers herself as a resource for Polly to...