PART TWO — Saturday, 20 July

Josie wakes early on what she considers her last morning in Alix’s house. She reflects on the comfort and intimacy of the previous night: takeaway curry, wine, television, Leon curled against her, and the ordinary sounds of Alix’s family going to bed. Josie feels sadness at leaving the house’s luxuries and warmth, but the feeling fades when Josie thinks about what Josie has planned next.

Josie showers with Alix’s products, dresses in the clothes Josie wore when Josie arrived, and brings Alix’s borrowed clothes and pyjamas downstairs. Alix notices the change and accepts the laundry, then reassures Josie that Alix’s sisters will not arrive until later, so Josie does not need to hurry. Alix offers Josie breakfast, maintaining a caring and generous tone.

Nathan comes downstairs with Leon and compliments Josie’s dress, which makes Josie feel both flattered and repulsed. Soon after, Eliza enters upset about something said to her on Snapchat. The return of ordinary family conflict signals to Josie that the time has come to leave.

Josie puts Fred into his carrier and prepares to go. Alix worries about the heat and the long walk, offers to drive Josie, and asks whether Josie’s mother knows Josie is coming. Josie says yes, then allows Alix to hug her. Alix urges Josie to get help and stay in touch before the door closes between Josie and Alix’s home.

Once around the corner, Josie checks her handbag for the cash Josie has been collecting all week from cash machines between Alix’s house and Josie’s job, bundled with one of Eliza’s pink glitter hairbands. Josie also puts on green-framed sunglasses found under a garden chair that morning. Under the intense heat, Josie walks not toward a clearly confirmed refuge, but toward “the next place.”