Contents
Chapter 65
Overview
Eight months after Floyd’s death, Hanna marries Theo, and Laurel attends with Poppy, who now calls Laurel “Mama.” Laurel shields Poppy from the full truth, accepts Floyd’s suicide, and processes Ellie’s loss. With Ruby’s passing and family gathered, Laurel’s relationships stabilize, especially with Hanna, Poppy, and Sara-Jade.
Summary
Eight months after the revelations and Floyd’s death, Hanna marries Theo in Finsbury Park. Laurel watches the couple emerge from the church, realizing her earlier judgment of their relationship was wrong. She rides the vintage bus to the reception holding Poppy, who chose to call Laurel “Mama,” and whose resilience has brightened the family.
The bus is filled with family and friends: Bonny and Paul, Jake and Blue with a tiny puppy, and Sara-Jade with a friend named Tom. Poppy asked for Sara-Jade to attend despite the lack of a biological tie. Laurel notes Theo’s parents and other guests, while also feeling the absence of those lost.
Laurel reflects that Ruby met Poppy before dying soon after. She has not told Poppy the full truth about Ellie or Noelle’s crimes, offering a softened account and explaining Floyd’s suicide as guilt over pretending to be Poppy’s father. During the police excavation of Floyd’s garden, Laurel quietly kept Poppy with her.
At the canal-side reception, Paul checks on Laurel, who admits she is coping despite trauma and grief. Her relationship with Hanna has transformed; Hanna now lives with Theo, and she and Poppy are inseparable. Laurel has also grown close to Sara-Jade. Catching Hanna’s kiss across the room, Laurel holds on to a sense of renewed family and fragile peace.
Who Appears
- LaurelMother mourning Ellie; now raising Poppy, reflecting at Hanna and Theo’s wedding and finding stability.
- PoppyChild who calls Laurel “Mama”; grieving Floyd yet resilient, central to the family’s healing.
- HannaLaurel’s daughter; marries Theo and forms a close bond with Poppy.
- TheoHanna’s groom; confident and supportive partner, celebrated by family.
- PaulLaurel’s ex-husband; checks on Laurel at the reception, part of the family circle.
- BonnyFamily friend with an extravagant hat; attends the wedding with Paul.
- JakeLaurel’s son; arrives with Blue and dotes on their tiny puppy.
- BlueJake’s partner; fusses over a small puppy named Mister.
- Sara-JadeFloyd’s daughter; invited by Poppy; bond with Laurel deepens after Floyd’s death.
- TomSara-Jade’s bearded friend, possibly partner; accompanies her to the wedding.
- JackieLaurel’s friend; attends the wedding with Bel and their twins.
- BelLaurel’s friend; sits with Jackie and their twin boys.
- Mr. GoodmanTheo’s father; appears aged, attending his son’s wedding.
- Becky GoodmanTheo’s mother; strikingly youthful, present among the guests.
- RubyLaurel’s mother; met Poppy before passing away eight months earlier.
- FloydDeceased; Laurel explains his suicide to Poppy, whose grief remains palpable.
- EllieAbsent, deceased daughter; her loss shapes Laurel’s reflections during the wedding.
- Noelle DonnellyEllie’s former tutor; mentioned in Laurel’s softened account to Poppy about her origins.