Chapter 17

Laurel wakes at Floyd’s and unexpectedly meets his nine-year-old daughter, Poppy. Poppy’s dimple, expression, and mannerisms stun Laurel because they echo Ellie, forcing Laurel to steady herself and mask the reaction. Poppy confidently makes coffee and chats about restaurants and homeschooling, revealing Floyd has always taught her because of her precocious abilities.

Floyd appears, affectionate and proud, praising Poppy as “remarkable.” Laurel, still reeling from Poppy’s resemblance to Ellie, retreats to shower and tries to name a growing sense of wrongness she can’t locate. The dynamic—Floyd’s devotion and Poppy’s poise—both charms and unsettles her.

Later, Laurel goes to clean Hanna’s flat, a weekly routine Hanna pays her for in cash. Suspecting Hanna is spending nights elsewhere, Laurel searches for clues. The flowers on the table suggest a suitor, and in the trash she finds the bouquet’s cellophane with a card: “Can’t wait to see you tomorrow... I love you so much, T.”

From the note, Laurel concludes Hanna has a boyfriend and has moved on privately. She is stung that Hanna hasn’t shared this, and the secrecy adds to Laurel’s unease as she processes both Poppy’s uncanny similarity to Ellie and the revelation about Hanna’s hidden relationship.