Neither Edmund nor Effy are surprised that their older brothers don't get alone. Tony is bored and Peter is irritable, and when Effy bums Edmund his third cigarette, Peter says, "Stop that, it'll destroy your lungs."

"Really," says Effy. "I never knew."

Tony takes off early, ruffling Effy's hair before he goes. She ducks and swats his hand away, and Edmund takes note of the dullness in Peter's eyes as he watches Tony and Effy casually slag each other off.

"I'll walk Effy home, Pete," Edmund says.

"Why didn't you just go home with your brother?" Peter asks her.

"My brother isn't going home," says Effy, smoke trailing out of her mouth.

"Where's he going?"

"To cheat on his girlfriend."

Peter rolls his eyes and shakes his head, and shortly thereafter he leaves. Effy looks at Edmund and says, "Let's get out of here."

"All right," he says, and takes her hand.