1) Jeremy is adopted in 1961, thus being deprived of his birth mother.
2) Jeremy is shunted off to boarding school aged 8, thus a second separation. He has bonded with neither parent.
3) Jeremy returns to White House Farm in the holidays for thirteen weeks a year. As every year passes he becomes more alienated.
4) He leaves Gresham's with few qualifications. He senses Nevill's disappointment.
5) June becomes ill in 1982 and is hospitalized in St. Andrew's, Northampton. Jeremy witnesses the hold religion has on her at first hand.
6) Sheila becomes ill in 1983 and is incarcerated in the above facility.
7) The love of Jeremy's life, Suzette Ford, is rejected by Nevill and June. Jeremy blames them for Suzette's three miscarriages.
Meanwhile Sheila's children are growing up, and have gained the affection of their grandparents. Jeremy resents the difference in treatment they receive from his childhood.
9) Sheila becomes ill again in March 1985 and is placed back in St. Andrew's. Jeremy sees the bills on Nevill's desk. There is talk of sending Nicholas and Daniel to boarding school. June's mental state is still precarious and Barbara Wilson states she may change her will in favour of the twins.
10) Sheila makes the "All people are bad and should be killed remark" in front of June and Barbara. Did Jeremy get wind of this?
11) Jeremy muses about his heretofore theoretical plan of murdering all five whilst under the same roof. He questions Colin as to when the twins are coming to stay.
12) 6 August 1985. Jeremy dithers on the telephone to Julie: "it's now or never".
13) Jeremy watches a television programme on miscarriages. Suddenly he recalls Suzette's loss and the die is cast. He embarks on the diabolical journey.
