Tom thrives on Janus Rock. His duties are difficult and time-consuming, but he enjoys the straightforwardness of his purpose. He has one responsibility: to keep the light in the lighthouse burning.

When the store boat arrives with supplies three months into his post, a letter from Isabel arrives too. Among the jokes and a silly sketch included in the letter, Isabel asks Tom to visit when his post is up. He responds, promising to do so. 

After six months, Tom’s temporary post becomes permanent. Trimble Docherty’s mental instability has led him to jump off a cliff. Trimble believed that he was jumping into a ship skippered by his beloved wife, but he falls to his death.

The harbormaster points out that a woman who can live on the island is a unique kind of person, and Trimble’s wife, Moira Docherty, was such a woman. Reflecting on the grief and despair that destroyed Trimble, Tom realizes that war is not a prerequisite for suffering.

During his two weeks’ leave in Partageuse, Tom spends every day with Isabel. She notices that he is reluctant to share much at all about himself or his past.