Contents
Chapter 7
Overview
Shaken after Ishaan’s death, Elsie waits outside with Daphne, worries Joan told Peter her secret, and finds humor to cope. Persephone spots Elsie’s bleeding cut, prompting Roxanne—revealed as a nurse—to treat it. Police Harris and Gibson take details about an earlier dog-related scratch and leave Nugget in Elsie’s care to contact the shelter.
Summary
Exhausted after discovering Ishaan dead, Elsie sits on her porch with Daphne. They worry that Joan knows Elsie’s true identity and may have told Peter, which humiliates Elsie. Their shared laughter over Joan’s “foul play” question briefly relieves Elsie’s fear and shame.
Persephone appears and points out blood on Elsie’s shoe, revealing a deep cut near Elsie’s ankle, likely from the fence. Ignoring Elsie’s protests, Persephone fetches her mother, Roxanne, who arrives with a medical kit.
Roxanne, revealed to be a nurse and overworked single mother, cleans and dresses the wound despite Elsie’s complaints about the antiseptic sting. Their banter highlights Roxanne’s practicality and Elsie’s prickly humor.
Two officers—Constable Harris and Detective Gibson—approach. They give Elsie a card because she found the body, ask about an older scratch on her arm from returning Nugget to Ishaan, and decline to handle Ishaan’s dog. They instruct Elsie to call the animal shelter.
As the officers leave, Elsie’s irritation slips out when she says she disliked Nugget more than Ishaan, then corrects herself. Nugget remains on her porch, underscoring Elsie’s unwanted responsibility and her lingering dread that Joan has exposed her past to Peter.
Who Appears
- Elsie Mabel FitzpatrickElderly narrator; shaken after finding Ishaan; worries Joan told Peter her secret; suffers a bleeding ankle cut.
- DaphneSupportive friend; calms Elsie and shares gallows humor about the day’s events.
- PersephoneBlunt neighborhood child; notices Elsie’s bleeding shoe and summons her mother.
- RoxannePersephone’s mother; a nurse who treats Elsie’s wound; reveals financial strain and practicality.
- Constable HarrisMustached officer; provides contact card, asks about Elsie’s earlier arm scratch, declines dog responsibility.
- Detective GibsonBald officer accompanying Harris; observes and supports the brief questioning.
- NuggetIshaan’s small dog; lingers by Elsie, prompting discussion of contacting the animal shelter.
- JoanNeighbor who likely circulated the article; suspected of telling Peter Elsie’s identity.
- PeterKind neighbor; Elsie fears he now knows her secret via Joan.