Cyril is nearly 50, living in Dublin again, and Ignac has recently published another in a series of children’s books. Cyril works at the library of the Dáil Éirann and is reacquainted with Miss Ambrosia, who is both married and working due to the recent change in Irish law. They catch up one day in the tearoom, and Cyril again sees Catherine ordering the waitresses around. Miss Ambrosia reveals her anti-gay feelings when she tells Cyril that Mr. Denby-Denby “went and got himself murdered” (428) by a sex worker for being gay. She calls him “one of them” (428) and asks Cyril if he is, too. After Miss Ambrosia leaves, Catherine joins Cyril, asking him how he is doing and remembering him from their previous encounters. She looks at him as if they are close, and the look stays with Cyril long after their conversation is over.

Cyril is happy to be in his home again but notes how Bastiaan was murdered in a hate crime in Central Park. Cyril lost partial use of his leg in the attack.

When Charles went to prison the first time, Cyril was still a child and never allowed to visit.