The Family Upstairs

The novel once again jumps back in time to Chelsea in 1990. Shortly after Henry’s mother tells Henry that they have no money and David is overseeing their finances, Henry comes out of his bedroom one morning and sees David kissing Birdie. Henry is disgusted and disturbed by the sight of adultery, because he knows David is married to Sally. Henry also gets “an innate sense that they might bring things out of each other that were better left buried away” (133).

Henry goes to tell Phin, David and Sally’s son. Henry and Phin meet outside in the garden. Henry tells Phin that he saw David and Birdie kissing, and Phin is upset by the news. Phin says he won’t tell his sister or his mom, knowing it would upset his mom, and insists Henry not tell anyone else either. Henry suggests he and Phin get out of the house and go do something that day. Henry and Phin agree to try to get some money and meet back in the hall.

Henry steals some money from his father’s jacket and his mother’s purse. Henry meets up with Phin, and they go outside, where Phin hails a cab. Henry says he doesn’t have enough money for a cab, but Phin explains that he stole some money from his dad, David’s, secret stash.