Contents
Sunday, 23 June
Overview
Josie’s Sunday routine highlights the disturbing state of her home, especially Josie’s refusal to enter Erin’s room despite continuing to leave food outside it. Feeling trapped by Josie’s own life, Josie is drawn again to Alix’s house and observes Alix with family members, deepening Josie’s envy and fixation.
The chapter sharpens the contrast between Josie’s secrecy and Alix’s apparent warmth, comfort, and belonging. Josie’s theft of a passionflower becomes a small but symbolic act of possession, showing how Josie’s longing for Alix’s life is becoming more intrusive.
Summary
On Sunday, Josie prepares a roast dinner for herself and Walter, and they eat quietly by the window. Afterward, Josie blends the leftovers into a soft meal for Erin and leaves the tray outside Erin’s room with a yogurt and two teaspoons, still unable to make herself go inside because the smell has made the task increasingly daunting.
Josie cleans the kitchen until it is spotless, creating the appearance that nothing is wrong. By mid-afternoon, Josie tells Walter that she is taking Fred out and asks if Walter wants to come, while hoping Walter will refuse. Walter does refuse, leaving Josie free to go out alone.
As Josie walks through the area around Queen’s Park, Josie notices evidence of other people enjoying summer—pub drinks, picnic remains, overflowing bins, and melted ice cream. The sight makes Josie dwell on how full and ordinary other people’s lives seem compared with Josie’s own, and this longing draws Josie toward Alix’s street.
Josie stands near Alix’s house, trying not to be seen but needing a glimpse of Alix’s life before returning home. Josie studies the shutters, the milky-blue front door, and the matching potted plants, contrasting Alix’s polished privacy with Josie’s exposed flat.
Before Josie leaves, Alix arrives with two women Josie assumes are Alix’s sisters, including Zoe. Josie watches them laughing together and entering the house, where Josie glimpses the cat, a child, and Nathan. Josie imagines the comfortable domestic scene inside and feels an intense desire for Alix’s life; once Alix’s family is indoors, Josie walks past the house, touches the climbing plant, plucks a passionflower, and carries it home.
Who Appears
- Josie FairAvoids Erin’s room, walks Fred, spies on Alix’s house, and envies Alix’s life.
- Alix SummerReturns home with apparent sisters, embodying the warm family life Josie craves.
- Walter FairEats Sunday roast with Josie and stays home when Josie walks the dog.
- Erin FairRemains unseen in her room while Josie leaves blended food outside the door.
- NathanBriefly glimpsed inside Alix’s home, greeting Alix and the others distractedly.
- ZoeOne of the women with Alix, recognized by Josie from the birthday night.
- FredJosie’s dog, taken on the walk that leads Josie toward Alix’s street.