- Beatrice-Joanna is still living with her sister and brother-in-law, and is now seven months pregnant. She spends most of her days hiding out so that the neighbors won't see her, and takes short walks at night.
- As it's December, Beatrice-Joanna's niece and nephew help their parents make decorations for the family's upcoming Christmas celebrations.
- As Dymphna and Llewelyn cut holly-shaped pieces out of cardboard, they ask what Christmas is "really about" (3.3.6). They also ask about the meaning of the Eucharist.
- As Sonny explains the fundamentals of Christian doctrine to the children, Llewelyn lets it slip that one of their classmates was recently killed and eaten by his parents. Shonny, Mavis, and Beatrice-Joanna are horrified.