Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 111
Overview
Donna, Chris, and Patrice share a warm, comic evening that shifts attention briefly from the murders to possible romance between Chris and Donna’s mother. The scene also reveals Donna’s full first name, Madonna, and shows Donna playfully managing Chris’s enthusiasm.
The chapter ends with Elizabeth contacting Donna about meeting the next morning, suggesting that the investigation is about to resume even though the message sounds calm.
Summary
In Donna’s flat, Donna hosts Chris and Donna’s mother, Patrice, in a relaxed evening with low lights, wine, and music. Chris is comfortable and flirtatious, and Donna senses that a romantic spark may be developing between Chris and Patrice.
Donna pours wine while Chris compliments Patrice, joking that Patrice could be Donna’s sister. Patrice reveals that Donna’s full name is Madonna, which delights Chris and embarrasses Donna, who warns Chris never to use it.
As the group prepares to watch Jason Ritchie, Chris asks Patrice about her life. Patrice says she is a primary school teacher, and Donna adds that Patrice sings in a Sunday choir, both of which fit Chris’s idealized tastes. Chris then asks if Patrice likes dogs, but Patrice says she is allergic; Chris privately accepts that two out of three qualities are good enough.
Chris asks what happened to Donna’s date, and Donna reveals that she only said she had a date, not that it was her own. Donna then receives a text from Elizabeth asking whether Donna and Chris are free the next morning, with nothing urgent specified. Chris jokes that Elizabeth has probably solved the case, while Donna laughs and hopes her friend is all right.
Who Appears
- Donna De Freitashosts Chris and Patrice, jokes with them, and receives Elizabeth’s message.
- Chris Hudsonrelaxes at Donna’s flat and becomes charmed by Patrice.
- PatriceDonna’s mother; a teacher and choir singer who shares wine with Chris.
- Elizabethtexts Donna asking if she and Chris are free the next morning.