Laurel Mack finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Floyd Dunn, experiencing a powerful physical attraction she thought she'd lost forever. As their connection deepens, Laurel grapples with a mix of hope and unease, especially after meeting Floyd's daughter, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her missing daughter. These chapters mark a turning point, shifting the narrative from a story of grief to a suspenseful exploration of hidden truths and unsettling obsessions.
Chapter 16: You Look Lovely
Laurel and Floyd's second date at an Eritrean restaurant is charged with palpable chemistry. Laurel is particularly touched when she recounts her ailing mother's rare moment of clarity, during which she encouraged Laurel to call Floyd. Floyd responds with genuine warmth, holding her hands across the table, solidifying their connection. Later, at Floyd's house, they encounter his older daughter, Sara-Jade Virtue, who appears thin and nervous. In the kitchen, Floyd confesses he knows about Laurel's missing daughter, Ellie Mack, from an internet search. This revelation, while startling, allows Laurel to finally open up about her past. The night culminates in what Laurel considers the best sex she's ever had, a significant step in her journey of Grief, Loss, and Moving On.
Chapter 17: My Remarkable Girl
The following morning, Laurel meets Floyd's nine-year-old daughter, Poppy Dunn, and is immediately struck by her uncanny resemblance to Ellie. The similarity is so profound that Laurel has to steady herself. Poppy is remarkably precocious, speaking with an articulation beyond her years. She explains that she is homeschooled because no ordinary school can accommodate her intellect. Laurel is unsettled by the situation, sensing something is amiss. Later, while cleaning her daughter Hanna Mack's flat, Laurel discovers a card from a secret admirer named "T," confirming her suspicions that Hanna is hiding a serious relationship. This discovery reinforces the theme of Deception and Hidden Truths within her own family.
Chapter 18: A Brave New World
Feeling renewed after her night with Floyd, Laurel calls her ex-husband, Paul Mack, for the first time since Ellie’s funeral. Their conversation is warm and healing, with Laurel apologizing for her behavior during Ellie's disappearance. Inspired, she proposes a joint birthday dinner for herself and Hanna, inviting the entire family, including Paul’s partner, Bonny, and their son’s girlfriend, Blue. Hanna initially resists, claiming other plans, but eventually agrees to a dinner on a different night. Laurel then invites Floyd to dinner at her flat. However, when Floyd's babysitter cancels, he asks if he can bring Poppy along. He makes a strange request: that Laurel put away all photos of Ellie, explaining that he hasn't told Poppy about her and thinks it's best she doesn't know.
Chapter 19: The Floyd and Poppy Show
Floyd and Poppy arrive at Laurel’s flat for dinner. Poppy is dressed in an old-fashioned black velvet dress, which Laurel finds peculiar. Throughout the evening, Poppy dominates the conversation, interrogating Laurel about her life with a startling lack of inhibition, while Floyd watches with pride. Laurel feels like an audience member at "the Floyd and Poppy Show," observing their intense, insular dynamic. Despite her unease, Laurel is drawn to Poppy, recognizing her own maternal instincts and the child's need for a mother figure. The physical resemblance to Ellie is so striking that Laurel finds it "almost mathematically identical." After spending the weekend with them, Laurel invites both Floyd and Poppy to the family birthday dinner.
Chapter 20: A Nation of Sheep
On her birthday, Floyd takes Laurel to a champagne and cheese bar, where he reveals a shocking backstory: he was born in a public toilet to homeless teenage parents who abandoned him at a hospital. This revelation creates a new bond between them, as Laurel realizes she is not the only one with a "terrible story." Later, at Floyd's house, Sara-Jade confronts Laurel, stating the obvious: "She looked really like Poppy, don’t you think?" Laurel, caught off guard, dismisses the resemblance, but SJ's direct question forces her to confront a truth she has been trying to ignore.
Key Events
- Laurel and Floyd's relationship deepens, marked by intimacy and shared vulnerabilities.
- The introduction of Poppy and her striking resemblance to Ellie creates unease.
- Laurel plans a family dinner, signaling her desire for reconciliation.
- Floyd's request to hide Ellie's photos raises suspicion.
- Floyd reveals his traumatic past, adding complexity to his character.
- Sara-Jade confronts Laurel about the resemblance between Ellie and Poppy.
Character Development
- Laurel Mack:
- She takes significant steps in moving on from her grief.
- She re-engages with her sexuality and attempts to reunite her family.
- She overlooks red flags about Floyd and Poppy, blinded by her desire for healing.
- Floyd Dunn:
- He is presented as charming and sensitive.
- His indulgent parenting and strange requests introduce suspicion.
- His dramatic backstory hints at hidden depths.
- Poppy Dunn:
- She is a central, mysterious figure.
- Her precociousness and adult-like mannerisms are unsettling.
- Her physical similarity to Ellie drives the novel's mystery.
- Sara-Jade Virtue:
- She initially appears as a minor character.
- She becomes a crucial voice of truth, pointing out the Ellie-Poppy resemblance.
- Hanna Mack:
- Her character is developed through her absence and deception.
- Laurel's discovery confirms Hanna is living a secret life.
Themes & Symbols
The themes of grief, loss, and moving on are central as Laurel begins to reclaim her life. However, this progress is intertwined with deception and hidden truths, as secrets emerge within both Laurel's family and Floyd's. The nature of family and motherhood is explored through Laurel's attempts to reunite her fractured family and her complex feelings toward Poppy, who resembles her lost daughter. Poppy's clothing, particularly her formal, old-fashioned attire, symbolizes her isolation and the unnatural, adult-centric world she inhabits.
"She looked really like Poppy, don’t you think?"
Sara-Jade's blunt question serves as a narrative catalyst, forcing Laurel (and the reader) to confront the unsettling resemblance between Ellie and Poppy. This moment shatters the illusion of normalcy that Laurel has been clinging to, highlighting the disturbing questions at the heart of the story.
"It was the best sex she’d had in her life."
This quote underscores Laurel's reawakening and her attempt to reclaim her identity after years of grief. Her sexual experience with Floyd is not just physical but also symbolic of her emotional and psychological revival. However, it also highlights her vulnerability and her willingness to overlook potential red flags in her pursuit of happiness.
Significance
This section marks a crucial turning point, transforming the story from a drama about grief into a psychological thriller. The introduction of Poppy and her resemblance to Ellie establish the central mystery. Floyd's charm is tainted by control and secrecy, while Laurel's desire to move on makes her a vulnerable narrator. These chapters plant seeds of doubt and suspense, hooking the reader by turning Laurel's new beginning into something sinister.