Contents
Chapter 46
Overview
Laurel phones Noelle’s mother, Breda Donnelly, seeking answers. Breda reveals Noelle had planned to return to Dublin with Poppy but abruptly gave Poppy to Floyd and disappeared. Breda describes Noelle’s lifelong estrangement from family and concludes Noelle is likely dead, sharpening Laurel’s suspicions and narrowing timelines.
Summary
After visiting Floyd, Laurel uses a number from Joshua to contact his grandparents in Dublin, Henry and Breda Donnelly. Breda answers, wary of media intrusion, and asks who Laurel is. Laurel explains her connection: Ellie was tutored by Noelle before disappearing, and Laurel now dates Floyd, father of Poppy.
Prompted by Laurel’s questions, Breda discloses that Noelle had told the family she was coming home that week with her daughter, Poppy, to stay with them. The Donnellys prepared for their arrival, but instead Noelle suddenly handed Poppy to Floyd, packed a bag, and vanished. Breda notes the police and press showed little interest in a middle-aged loner whose ex-partner called her unstable.
Laurel presses for Breda’s view on Noelle’s fate. Breda says she believes Noelle is dead. She adds context: the family last saw Noelle in 1984 after her PhD; afterward Noelle kept her distance, offered no cards or contact, and showed no care for family milestones. Breda admits they eventually stopped caring back, and says it always seemed unbelievable that Noelle had a baby or could raise one alone.
Laurel absorbs this timeline: Noelle was set to return to Dublin with Poppy but instead relinquished the child to Floyd and disappeared, reinforcing Laurel’s growing suspicion that Noelle’s vanishing and Ellie’s disappearance are connected.
Who Appears
- Laurel MackCalls Noelle’s mother seeking answers; learns Noelle planned to return to Dublin with Poppy before vanishing.
- Breda DonnellyNoelle’s mother; reveals planned return with Poppy, Noelle’s sudden disappearance, and long-standing family estrangement.
- Noelle DonnellySubject of the call; had intended to go home to Dublin with Poppy, then gave Poppy to Floyd and disappeared.
- Floyd DunnNoelle’s ex-partner and Poppy’s father; receives Poppy from Noelle just before she vanishes.
- PoppyChild at the center of plans; was to go to Dublin with Noelle but is instead handed to Floyd.
- JoshuaProvides Laurel his grandparents’ number, enabling the call to Breda.