Contents
Friday, 5 July
Overview
Alix has a brief but revealing encounter with Harry, her neighbour’s son, who went to school with Josie’s daughters. Harry’s memories of Roxy as violent and Erin as deeply strange reinforce Alix’s concerns about the Fair household.
His mention of rumours about abuse and the possibility that Roxy ran away adds an outside perspective to Josie’s story. The chapter shifts Alix’s investigation from relying on Josie’s account toward gathering independent corroboration.
Summary
On Friday, 5 July, Alix answers the door to Harry, her next-door neighbour’s adult son, whom she has known since childhood. Harry has returned home from university but cannot get into his house because his mother is out and he has no key.
Alix invites Harry inside and searches for the spare keys his mother left with Alix years earlier. After finding the envelope in the kitchen, Alix remembers that Harry and his brother attended Queen’s Park High, the same school connected to Josie’s daughters.
Before Harry leaves, Alix asks whether Harry remembers Erin and Roxy Fair. Harry says he does, especially Roxy, who was in his year and whom Harry describes as frightening, aggressive, and “insane.”
Alix says she has never met Roxy but knows Roxy’s mother, then mentions that Roxy apparently left home at sixteen. Harry questions whether Roxy left or ran away, explaining that there were dark rumours about both Fair sisters and their home life, including possible abuse.
Harry also describes Erin as extremely strange, painfully thin, and rumoured never to eat solid food. After returning the conversation to the borrowed keys, Harry leaves, and Alix is left with troubling outside confirmation that Josie’s family history may be darker than Josie has admitted.
Who Appears
- Alix SummerUses a chance visit from Harry to seek independent information about Josie’s daughters.
- HarryNeighbour’s son who remembers Roxy and Erin from school and shares troubling rumours.
- Roxy FairJosie’s daughter, described by Harry as frightening, aggressive, and possibly a runaway.
- Erin FairJosie’s older daughter, remembered as strange, thin, and surrounded by disturbing rumours.