Chapter 44

On the night before Ian Ventham’s “big day,” Ian prepares for an early start by setting an alarm for 5 a.m. He puts on blackout goggles and noise-cancelling headphones, then falls asleep contentedly, suggesting confidence and anticipation about what is to come.

Across Coopers Chase, Ron Ritchie drifts toward sleep while reflecting on how much he enjoyed the police visit and his confrontation with Ian at the meeting. Ron misses public attention and imagines returning to political debate, but self-doubt intrudes as Ron wonders whether his old combative style still works. Ron also keeps circling back to Tony Curran’s murder, suspecting Ian but worrying he may be missing something.

Nearby, Ibrahim Arif keeps his mind active by learning the countries of the world. While Ibrahim’s left brain works through geography, Ibrahim lets his right brain continue puzzling over Tony’s killer, then falls asleep somewhere between Denmark and Djibouti.

Elizabeth cannot sleep in her home in Larkin. Lying with her arm around Stephen, Elizabeth thinks about whether Stephen can still feel her and whether Penny can still hear her, revealing how closely grief, loyalty, and memory remain tied to Elizabeth’s present life.

Bernard Cottle is also awake, using the iPad his daughter Sudhi gave him after Joyce taught him how to use it. With whisky and the last slice of Joyce’s coffee and walnut cake beside him, Bernard studies the plans for The Woodlands again, implying that the development still weighs heavily on him. As the village lights go out, only Willows remains lit, where death keeps different hours from ordinary life.