Clarissa and Peter view each other differently based on their past experiences together as young people. As a young man, Peter was in love with Clarissa but she married Richard Dalloway instead. Now in the present, Peter still holds feelings for Clarissa and views her as the one that got away, while Clarissa seems fond of Peter but views him as emotionally needy. Their perspectives of each other are shaped by memories of their past relationship and the choices they each made.