On Friary Street in Enniscorthy, Ireland, Eilis Lacey watches from her window as her sister, Rose, returns from a day of work. As Rose prepares to leave for golf, Eilis does her bookkeeping homework. After Rose leaves, Eilis is summoned to Miss Kelly’s shop and offered a job on Sundays because of her reputation for good math skills. On her way home from the shop, Eilis stops at her friend Nancy’s house and the two go for a walk, joined by their mutual friend Annette. Nancy admits to the girls that she is flirting with George Sheridan and begs Eilis to come dancing with them that weekend.

Eilis trains in the shop for a few days and notices how much more expensive products are on Miss Kelly’s shelves than they are elsewhere in town. Miss Kelly also treats her customers differently, showing favoritism and letting people cut the line. Eilis tells her mother stories of her training but does not speak to Rose about it, thinking she will disapprove. Rose supports Eilis and her mother with an office job, as their father is dead and their three brothers are away working in England.