Contents
Chapter 34
Overview
Poppy hosts a make-believe dinner, prompting Laurel to briefly abandon her suspicions and deepen intimacy with Floyd. When Floyd leaves, Laurel takes Poppy to Noelle’s street, reveals her Irish cousins, and visits Noelle’s house. Poppy recognizes her childhood room and panics at the basement door, hinting at hidden trauma there.
Summary
Poppy orchestrates a formal dinner service for Floyd and Laurel, playing waitress and looking strikingly like Ellie. The evening’s intimacy leads Laurel to sleep with Floyd and temporarily dismiss her suspicions about Noelle’s lip balm and Poppy’s resemblance to Ellie.
In the morning, Floyd announces a Saturday meeting with his financial advisor and asks Laurel to stay with Poppy. Laurel agrees, though she feels uneasy when Poppy joins them in bed, triggering maternal memories and a scent that reminds Laurel of Ellie.
Seizing the chance to investigate, Laurel takes Poppy for cake at a café on Noelle’s street and cautiously reveals that Poppy once lived nearby with her mother and has Irish cousins, including Joshua and Sam. Poppy, intrigued yet wary, agrees to visit after Laurel calls Joshua.
At Noelle’s house, Joshua and Sam welcome them warmly. Poppy recognizes her childhood bedroom wallpaper of racing hares and tortoises and recalls dreaming about it. Led downstairs, Poppy freezes at the basement threshold, saying Noelle forbade her from entering and describing it as the lair of a “monster.” Distressed, Poppy withdraws, leaving Laurel with renewed concern about what the basement concealed.
Who Appears
- Laurel MackProbes Poppy’s past, visits Noelle’s house, and witnesses Poppy’s fear of the basement after briefly trusting Floyd.
- PoppyHosts dinner role-play; recalls her old room’s wallpaper; panics at the forbidden basement, hinting at traumatic memories.
- FloydGrows closer to Laurel; leaves for a meeting, prompting Laurel to take Poppy out and investigate.
- JoshuaWelcomes Laurel and Poppy; identifies family ties; shows Poppy her former room and basement.
- SamSupports Joshua in greeting Poppy and guiding the house tour.