Contents
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Overview
One month later, Stuart returns to family Christmas for the first time in a decade and collects Daisy from George and Spencer’s home. Daisy has reclaimed her identity as Daisy Connolly and chooses to live near the boarded Vale house to contain her trauma and honor Claire. She firmly rejects Jessamine, now in rehab awaiting trial.
Summary
Stuart narrates a Christmas-time return to family life, noting he has not spent the holiday with his brother since 2016 due to years under Jessamine’s control. Now free, he prepares to collect Daisy for Christmas, reflecting on how secrecy and shame kept him away.
Stuart picks up Daisy from George and George’s father Spencer, who wish her well. Daisy appears transformed since May, with professional hair and new clothes, signaling a step toward independence. Together they glance at the boarded yellow house at the bottom of the Vale, its garden still torn up from the police excavation of the basement.
Stuart asks if living so close is strange. Daisy says proximity keeps the trauma contained and prevents nightmares, and it keeps her close to her mum, Claire. She has legally changed her name to Daisy Connolly and rejects the woman who raised her—Jessamine—who is in rehab awaiting trial. With that resolve, Stuart and Daisy leave the scene and walk back through the festive Vale toward Christmas.
Who Appears
- Stuart TuckerNarrates; returns to family Christmas after a decade and collects Daisy, reflecting on past control by Jessamine.
- Daisy ConnollyReclaims identity via deed poll; lives near the boarded Vale house to manage trauma and stay close to Claire’s memory.
- SpencerGeorge’s amiable father; hosts Daisy and wishes her a good Christmas.
- GeorgeDaisy’s childhood friend; provides a home base in the Vale.
- JessamineReferenced; in rehab awaiting trial. Rejected by Daisy as any kind of victim.