His interest in photography is boosted by his sister’s evident talent, along with his curiosity for her work. Now he notices far more the light variations during the day, the subtle changes of hue and the shifting sky’ s reflections that are so typical of northern climates. 

Jane is amused by his renewed passion. He is also takes a close interest in portraits. She, without consulting him, started taking nude pictures of Sarah a year ago, and her visits are a chance for them to continue with this project. They disappear into Sarah’s room, and even sometime the study, after kicking Julian out and locking the door. In summer they enjoy taking shots in the beautiful garden, away from preying eyes. He’s not upset by it: intrigued perhaps, and, more than ever, curious. The pictures are all black and white, and do more than justice to his wife’s beautiful body. 

At the beginning he was startled by the erotic nature of Jane’s work, but what did he expect two gorgeous women to accomplish in making art? He was wondering if Sarah, in turn, takes pictures of Jane, but he never asked. Since he was not briefed, nor invited to participate, he has chosen to remain quiet on the subject, and just enjoy what he is invited to look at.

The incident of the screen shots on Chi no longer worries Julian. He has made up his mind that it was merely an accident of simulation, or perhaps even editing. After Jane’s visit he feels rejuvenated and full of new ideas. It has given a boost to his libido too, not that he’s ever short of that, but somehow the presence of both Sarah and Jane in his house inspires him. Sarah finds it hilarious, and teases him about it.  

One night, before Jane left, he woke up from some dream, and notices that Sarah is no longer in bed. It did not bother him but, feeling thirsty, he walked downstairs to the kitchen for a drink of water. Sarah was nowhere to be seen, not in the back-room, nor in the lounge, nor the bathrooms. The only place where she could be, Julian concludes, was in Jane’s room. Indeed he could hear, walking past Jane’s door, the low sound of giggles. He smiled and went back to bed, falling back into sleep immediately.

He has found a new inspiration for the novel too, writing for long hours non-stop, to the extent of neglecting his weekly visits to the gym, as he realises quickly by checking his weight. He knows that his wife won’t let him put on weight and get fat: she would immediately impose the kind of spartan regime she can very well design for her “boy.” So, he reorganises his time, making space for gym and running, and still making the best of the day light hours for his writing.

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