Lila pauses her work to listen as Bill and Penelope Stockbridge play a duet of “Someone to Watch Over Me,” their exchanges warm and encouraging. The house’s acoustics carry every sound, including Gene’s loud arrival and blustering offer to sing, which instantly unsettles Lila and halts her focus.

Gene claims he is attending auditions, but Lila doubts him, noting his avoidance when questioned. As she heads downstairs for tea, the music stops and Bill challenges Gene for wearing Bill’s expensive wool socks. Gene feigns innocence, minimizes the offense, and escalates the tension with flippant barbs.

When Penelope is introduced, Gene theatrically charms her, holding her hand too long and announcing himself as Lila’s father. Penelope blushes, and Bill, angered at the intrusion, tries to resume the lesson. Gene declares victory by swaggering off to the kitchen, greeting Lila cheerfully as if nothing is wrong.

Lila reflects on a pattern: every interaction between Bill and Gene has become a battle with Gene usually prevailing through charm and manipulation, while Bill—though often in the right—ends up spluttering with frustration. Both men temper their conflict in front of Celie and Violet as they vie for the girls’ affections, with Gene bonding over sci‑fi with Violet and making some inroads with Celie after their Soho outing, while Celie still gravitates toward Bill’s steady presence.

An unexpected effect of the household friction is that Celie now comes down to supper more regularly, seemingly distracted from her troubles as Lila referees minor squabbles about food and decor rather than focusing on Celie’s eating. The domestic scene remains noisy and fraught, yet it creates a fragile routine.

Back in the hall, Penelope compliments Bill’s playing and technique, and Bill, pleased, enjoys the discipline of daily practice. Their gentle rapport deepens, and Penelope blushes again, hinting at mutual affection.

Watching Bill and Penelope, Lila retreats to the kitchen for tea, stung by the sense that everyone else—Bill, Penelope, even Gene—seems to be moving forward while she remains stalled. She admits to herself that something in this situation must change.