Contents
Chapter Forty
Overview
Jane secures a clear photo of Daisy Black from George, revealing a stylish, dark-haired girl that contradicts prior descriptions. She forwards it to Helen Yaxley, who says it looks like Rose White. Jane then canvasses Waterside Academy students, who confirm Daisy’s beauty, isolation, strange reputation, and early departure, deepening the Daisy–Rose connection.
Summary
After leaving Tobias, Jane goes to Spencer’s cottage and speaks with George, who pauses a work Zoom to help. Prompted for details about Daisy Black’s appearance, George searches his phone and finds a candid image showing Daisy as a striking, dark-haired girl with a nose ring, laughing. The photo contradicts earlier portrayals from locals.
Jane sends the image to herself and forwards it to Helen Yaxley, asking if Daisy could be Rose White. She rides the Northern Line to Angel, wandering shops but resisting impulse purchases as she reflects on the emptiness that luxury never cured.
Positioning herself outside Waterside Academy at midday, Jane awaits sixth formers and receives Helen’s reply: the photo looks like Rose, with different hair and lighter coloring. Jane then shows the photo to students; they identify Daisy Black and recall she left in year eight or nine.
The students describe Daisy as very pretty but “really weird,” isolated, and feared by some, attracting outlandish rumors (like incestuous parents) because of her mysterious aura. Jane leaves with confirmation of Daisy’s outsider status and a strong visual link to Rose, tightening the thread between Daisy’s past and the present disappearance.
Who Appears
- JaneInvestigates Daisy Black; obtains her photo from George, forwards it to Helen, and canvasses students for corroboration.
- GeorgeSpencer’s son; pauses a Zoom, provides coffee, and supplies a photo of Daisy from a gaming night.
- Helen YaxleyConfirms by message that Daisy’s photo resembles Rose White, noting different hair and lighter coloring.
- Daisy BlackSubject of the investigation; photo reveals a stylish, dark-haired girl. Remembered as pretty, isolated, and unsettling.
- Waterside Academy sixth formersIdentify Daisy from the photo; recall her early departure, beauty, isolation, and the rumors surrounding her.