Oliver lets Amabel know about the job in York (the job in a shop that Miriam's friend, Dolores, owns), and Amabel gets it. She gets only half the going rate for such a job, and (gasp!) has to work almost 50 hours a week. On the other hand, hardly anyone comes to the store, and Dolores gives her a room (complete with kitchenette, loo, and enclosed space outside where the pets can go during the day) to stay in. So on balance, Amabel has done well for herself, but she doesn't see it that way. She spends most of her wages on making the room nicer, which can't be a good idea for one that has no savings.
Miriam has been possessive lately, and their friends have taken to treating them as a couple, so Oliver goes up to York to see Amabel. It's mind-boggling that Oliver can't understand the reasons for this behavior, but Dolores does. She calls Miriam to warn her about how friendly Oliver and Amabel are. At the end of the chapter, Oliver even quotes a Nigerian proverb ("Hold a true friend with both your friends") at Amabel, holding both her hands and telling her that he's her true friend. This always strikes me as hilarious; could he be any more literal-minded?
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