One Day

It’s early morning, and Emma and Dexter are lying in Dexter’s double bed in Belsize Park. Dexter asks Emma to move in with him, but she is unsure and worried about Dexter’s daughter. Emma suggests they buy a bigger apartment together. As they prepare for the day, they fall into their new routine—Dexter heads out for milk and newspapers, and “each day they kiss each other goodbye at approximately eight twenty-five” (264), before heading off to their respective jobs.

With his inheritance money, Dexter started an imported food business—the Belleville Café—selling French wine and cheese. Emma’s support gave him confidence. Now, the café is thriving, and Dexter finally feels happy, and “secretly, and for the first time in many years […] proud of himself” (266). Tonight, he looks forward to spending time with Jasmine for the next few days. He is content and hopes nothing will change.

Emma returns to her apartment, which she uses as an office. She’s writing scripts for a TV show, crafting a new novel, and creating illustrations. Emma realizes she wants a future with Dexter, including having children. In the afternoon, she goes back to Dexter’s apartment and finds Sylvie and Callum dropping off Jasmine amidst an argument: Callum isn’t who Sylvie thought he was.