Content Warning: The source material discusses sexual assault, drug addiction, and suicide.

In the middle of the night, Catherine Ravenscroft throws up in the bathroom. She has been reading a new book before bed, The Perfect Stranger, and she recognizes herself as the main character. The book reveals a long-held secret she has been keeping hidden, which she thought no one else knew about. Catherine’s husband, Robert, wakes up to check on her, and she lies that she is fine. Catherine and Robert recently moved into a new house after their son, Nicholas, moved out. Catherine goes downstairs to drink a glass of water, and she feels exposed—physically and emotionally.

Stephen Brigstocke recounts his forced retirement from being a private school teacher. He used to be popular when he taught older grades, but since his wife Nancy’s death and his move to teaching younger children, he became jaded. Stephen dislikes teaching children because he finds them boring. The private school forced Stephen into retirement after he gave a seven-year-old student lengthy personal criticism on a summer vacation essay. Stephen had originally been hired by a friend who wanted to help Stephen’s financial situation, but there were too many complaints against Stephen to ignore.