The protagonist takes a morning walk to work along the River Thames for the benefits of daylight exposure and personal joy.
Works at Covent Garden Theatre (CGT) as PA to the Director of Marketing and Publicity, Katherine Fellingham; the building is a maze-like Brutalist structure.
Her morning routine includes cleaning up after office parties and arranging Katherine's overbooked schedule, including during lunch hours.
Katherine suffers from depression and is pressured to hide it to maintain her position among male-dominated senior management.
The protagonist feels disconnected from her colleagues, noticing a lack of diversity, and deals with subtle office racism.
Is considering leaving her job due to a lack of fulfillment, despite having a savings safety net and managing familial financial responsibilities.
She reflects on her mother's view of work, which contrasts sharply with her own desire to find joy in her profession, acknowledging parental hardship and immigrant struggles.
During a lunchtime walk with her friend Avi, they discuss personal life choices with Avi encouraging her to seek more independence and excitement.
The protagonist is faced with her own insecurities and uncertainties about her living situation, romantic experiences, and career path.
Her evening involves caring for her father with Parkinson's, indicating a deep sense of responsibility and family love, but also personal sacrifice.
She struggles with her physical health, experiencing back pain from supporting her father.
Has a strained conversation with her brother James, who is financially undependable and focused on his music-related career.
Discovers implications of her mother's infidelity but feels unable to judge her harshly, choosing to maintain the family's secrets.