1. After being badly injured in WWII Francis Cassavant returns to Frenchtown with severe facial injuries. He covers his face to avoid recognition and carries a gun which he will use in a special ‘mission’.

3. Arthur Rivier, a school friend of Francis, introduces him to the other war veterans at the St Jude Club. Unlike Francis they are optimistic about the future. Francis keeps his identity a secret.

5. Later at the St Jude Club the war veterans talk about Larry LaSalle’s Silver Star award for bravery in war. Arthur Rivier recognises Francis and cannot understand why, as the holder of a Silver Star, he should want to go unrecognised.

7. After the celebration for his return to Frenchtown, Larry assaults Nicole at the Wreck Centre. Francis overhears the assault but is too frightened (or shocked) to do anything about it.

9. After Francis has discovered that Larry has returned to Frenchtown he visits him in his lodgings intending to kill him in revenge for what he did to Nicole.

11. Francis visits Nicole to ask her forgiveness and to inform her of Larry’s death. Although he had hoped to resume their relationship it is clear this will not happen. He sees his departure as his ‘gift’ to her.

13. The novel’s present. Francis is 18 and has just returned to Frenchtown. World War Two is over and he has ‘no face’.