Contents
Chapter 64
Overview
Floyd drives out of London on Christmas Eve with a gun, reflecting on orchestrating Laurel and Poppy’s reunion and his entanglement with Noelle. Weighing scandal and prison against sparing Poppy further pain, he chooses suicide near Glastonbury Tor. His decision removes him from the aftermath, closing his arc.
Summary
Floyd departs London carrying a passport, a small bag, and a handgun, uncertain whether to run or die. He frames his flight as the final step in cleaning up Noelle Donnelly’s “mess,” imagining Laurel reintroducing herself to Poppy and arriving together at Bonny’s Christmas gathering.
As he heads west past Slough, Floyd feels strangely liberated, believing he has finally shed Noelle’s influence. He contemplates exile versus suicide, picturing the looming media frenzy that would cast him and Noelle as grotesque partners and deciding he wants no part in the public reckoning.
Near Glastonbury Tor at sunset, he pulls off the motorway to watch the changing light. Floyd thinks of Laurel and Poppy sharing candlelit warmth, and contrasts it with his and Noelle’s infamy. He recalls telling Poppy the truth the night before and judges that she will survive and flourish without him.
Reflecting on his disapproving parents and the inevitability of scandal, Floyd accepts that this Christmas Eve sunset will be his last. Concluding that removing himself spares Poppy and avoids prison and spectacle, he reaches into the bag and takes out the gun, committing to end his life.
Who Appears
- Floyd DunnDrives west on Christmas Eve with a gun, reflects on Noelle, Laurel, and Poppy, and decides to commit suicide near Glastonbury Tor.
- Laurel MackEnvisioned reuniting with Poppy at Christmas; Floyd frames his decision around her and the family’s healing.
- Poppy DunnRecently told the truth by Floyd; imagined with Laurel and believed by Floyd to flourish without him.
- Noelle DonnellyAddressed in Floyd’s thoughts as the source of the ‘mess’ he seeks to end; symbol of guilt and entanglement.