Peter reflects on the emptiness of his flat after Naomi's departure, remembering how he told her he loved her on Friday morning and she cried. On Saturday morning he called Sylvia in Waterford, spoke warmly with her and her mother Miriam, told Sylvia he loved her, and they arranged to meet Monday afternoon. He felt relief and optimism, believing his life was finally restarting.

Arriving at Sylvia's flat on Monday, Peter tells her he has ended things with Naomi. Sylvia is shocked and upset rather than pleased. She insists nothing has changed about her situation—she cannot be the only woman in his life, and the pressure would be too much. She accuses Peter of using their recent intimacy as an exit strategy from his relationship with Naomi, arguing that he fell in love with Naomi but was afraid of vulnerability and the social unsuitability of the relationship. Peter protests, growing angry, and Sylvia tells him he's been determined to humiliate and hurt her. She suggests he may deep down wish she were dead. In a surge of rage, Peter slams a candlestick off the mantelpiece. Sylvia orders him out.

Devastated, Peter buys a bottle of vodka, mixes it with lemonade at Heuston Station, and catches a train to the Kildare house, thinking he'll see Naomi. He entertains dark, suicidal thoughts throughout the journey. Arriving at the house, he instead finds Ivan sitting at a chessboard. The brothers talk awkwardly—Ivan says he doesn't mind Naomi staying, and Peter tries to apologize for being harsh at a previous dinner. The conversation escalates as Ivan accuses Peter of never showing him respect, looking down on him, and delivering a terrible eulogy at their father's funeral.

Peter erupts, declaring he spent his life protecting Ivan and their father, that neither ever thanked him or looked out for him. Ivan shoves Peter; Peter backhands Ivan across the face, then throws him to the floor. Standing over Ivan, Peter nearly kicks him but stops when he sees the terror in Ivan's eyes. Ivan's lip is bleeding. Peter leaves, shaken and sick, vomiting by the garden wall. He tries to call Ivan but the number is still blocked.

Unable to reach Ivan or Sylvia, Peter calls his mother Christine. He lies about being in Naas and asks to come for dinner, also requesting she check on Ivan. Christine calls Ivan and reports back that he seems fine. At Christine's house, Peter confesses the physical fight, his harsh words about their father, and his general despair. Christine comforts him, tells him his father loved him, and urges him to watch his temper. Overwhelmed and exhausted, Peter agrees to stay the night.