Contents
Chapter Twenty
Overview
Staying at Tony’s flat, Jane seeks city life and investigates The Bedsitter. After Natasha de Large confirms involvement, Jane arranges a breakfast meeting to discuss Jessamine Black and watch the film. Feeling isolated, Jane reaches out to her stepchildren for a reunion, and Dexter agrees.
Summary
At Tony’s Seven Dials flat, Jane is drawn to the city’s nightlife and decides to go out. In a French restaurant, she researches the cast of the 2006 low-budget film The Bedsitter, believing it may connect to Jessamine Black.
Natasha de Large messages Jane, confirming she acted in the film during her Central days, calling the director a “knob,” and offering to share more. The exchange prompts Jane to recall her tumultuous marriage to Tony and her affection for his children, underscoring her mixed feelings of freedom and loss.
Encouraged, Jane asks Natasha about Jessamine Black. Later, on Tony’s roof terrace, Natasha invites Jane to breakfast in Chiswick to share everything she knows and to play the film; Jane accepts immediately, setting a 10 a.m. meeting.
Buoyed by progress yet feeling alone in the borrowed flat, Jane messages her stepchildren to organize a London get-together. The momentary isolation eases when Dexter promptly replies that he’s free, giving Jane a small but meaningful emotional lift.
Who Appears
- JaneProtagonist; investigates The Bedsitter, arranges to meet Natasha, reflects on past marriage, invites stepchildren to meet.
- Natasha de LargeFormer colleague; confirms she acted in The Bedsitter, invites Jane to breakfast to discuss Jessamine and show the film.
- TonyJane’s ex-husband; his London flat hosts Jane, prompting memories of their marriage and stepfamily.
- WaitressAttentive server at the French restaurant, exchanges friendly encouragement with Jane.
- DexterJane’s friend; responds positively to her plan for a stepfamily gathering.