Chapter 35: Joyce

Joyce records that the police visited, and she initially felt sorry for DCI Hudson, though she thinks he enjoyed himself by the end. Elizabeth gives Hudson and Donna the file she has prepared, with Joanna’s name kept off it to preserve “plausible deniability” in case the group’s methods are illegal.

Joyce writes down Elizabeth’s phrase and explains that she is keeping a diary. Elizabeth is curious whether she appears in it and whether Joyce uses her real name, prompting Joyce to wonder how much anyone really knows about the names people give.

Joyce then tries to prove she is not only obsessed with murder by noting ordinary events at Coopers Chase. She discusses hoovering, wine, local gossip, a new baby named River, shop news, and an upcoming computer talk that had to be clarified after confusion over the word “tablets.”

After Elizabeth leaves, Joyce asks her to give love to Stephen and invites them both to dinner. Joyce senses that something is wrong with Elizabeth and Stephen but trusts Elizabeth will explain when ready. The diary entry ends when Elizabeth messages Joyce about an unexplained road trip the next day, which Joyce anticipates with pleasure.