A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #2
Good Girl, Bad Blood
by Holly Jackson
Contents
FRIDAY 7 DAYS MISSING: Thirty-Four
Overview
Pip, suspended from school, meets Nat da Silva, who reveals proof that her boyfriend Luke arranged to meet the catfish “Layla Mead” in Lodge Wood car park the night Jamie vanished.
Screenshots end with Luke’s angry 12:41 a.m. text, suggesting danger. Nat softens toward Pip and pleads for her to find Jamie.
Summary
On Friday morning, Pip, suspended from school, receives a message from Nat da Silva asking to meet about Jamie and “Layla Mead.” Pip sneaks out after her mother leaves and goes to Nat’s house.
Nat acknowledges the vandalism of Max Hastings’s house and Pip’s uploaded audio, recognizes their shared anger, and admits she’d misdirected her hatred. She says Pip was right about her boyfriend Luke lying about his whereabouts the night Jamie disappeared.
Nat explains she checked Luke’s phone and found explicit WhatsApp chats with “Layla Mead,” whom Luke met on Tinder. The messages show Layla arranging a meeting in the Lodge Wood car park late Friday night. Nat provides screenshots.
The exchange culminates at 11:58 p.m. with Layla asking if Luke is coming, Luke replying “Almost there,” and then, at 12:41 a.m., Luke sending: “What the fuck, I’m gonna kill you.” There are no further messages from either side.
Pip recognizes the significance of Lodge Wood, a location within her search area, and concludes Layla is central to Jamie’s disappearance. Nat says she’s done with Luke and, emotional, asks Pip to find Jamie. Pip promises she’s trying.
Who Appears
- Pip Fitz-AmobiSuspended from school; meets Nat, reviews screenshots proving Luke met “Layla,” and commits to keep searching for Jamie.
- Nat da SilvaReaches out to Pip, softens toward her, reveals Luke’s chats with “Layla,” and begs Pip to find Jamie.
- LukeNat’s boyfriend; lied about his whereabouts, arranged to meet “Layla” in Lodge Wood; last text at 12:41 a.m. angry.
- Jamie ReynoldsMissing; previously messaged by “Layla.” Nat’s revelation links Layla to another man on the same night.
- Layla MeadCatfish identity; lures Luke to Lodge Wood and stops responding after his 12:41 a.m. message.
- Pip’s mumUrges Pip to stay home and study, unaware Pip leaves to meet Nat.
- Max HastingsReferenced; his house was vandalized and Pip’s audio posted, prompting Nat to contact Pip.