The book opens with Jerome's emails to his father Howard Belsey. Jerome lives in England in the family of Howard's 'enemy' Monty Kipps.
In one of the emails, Jerome announces his engagement to Monty Kipps' daughter Victoria. 
During breakfast, Kiki and Howard discuss the news and try to agree how to proceed in this matter.
Despite Kiki's protest, Howard decides to fly to London and solve the problem himself.
Meanwhile, another email from Jerome announces that the engagement was canceled.
When arriving to London, Howard calls the Kipps and meets Monty's son Michael.
After solving Jerome's problem, the narrative jumps 9 months forward.
Kiki, trying to help Jerome to come into terms with the past events, takes him to a street market where she meets Howard's colleague Claire Malcolm with her new husband.
