 Nan stumbles through London trying to find Florence , which she eventually does ; Florence is now melancholy , however , with a child . Nan stays with Florence and her brother Ralph , working as their housekeeper . Nan and Florence grow closer during the year they live together , and Nan learns that the previous boarder with Florence and Ralph had a child and died shortly after giving birth . Florence was deeply in love with the boarder but her affections were not returned . During an outing to a women 's pub , Nan is recognised by former fans , to Florence 's astonishment , and Nan divulges her own spotty past to Florence . <unk> , they begin a love affair . Putting her theatrical skills to use , Nan assists Ralph in preparing a speech at an upcoming socialist rally . At the event Nan jumps onstage to help Ralph when he falters , and is noticed once more by Kitty , who asks her to come back so they can continue their affair in secret . Realising how much shame Kitty continues to feel , how much of herself was compromised during their affair , and that her truest happiness is where she is now , Nan turns Kitty away and joins Florence . 
