Contents
Chapter 9
Overview
During a Tuesday errands day, simmering tensions surface: Sabrina needles Cleo over a canceled farm visit while Cleo admits mounting stress. At the bookstore, Wyn and Harriet quietly agree to reveal their breakup after the trip. Wyn’s unexpected coffee-table book and texting unsettle Harriet, who fears he’s moved on, even as wedding plans (flowers, popovers) advance.
Summary
On Tuesday, the group plays their grocery “game.” Harriet, hungover, trades barbs with Sabrina while Cleo quietly worries and tends to Kimmy. Harriet flashes back to Wyn tenderly caring for her the previous night, then rushes to the bathroom.
At Murder, She Read, everyone browses: Harriet retreats to Mysteries, Cleo to Nonfiction, Kimmy to Romance, Parth to General Fiction, and Sabrina to Horror. Cleo confides that Sabrina has seemed off since a canceled farm visit and that she and Kimmy nearly skipped the trip due to farm demands. Harriet, protective of the secret, deflects and suggests Sabrina is upset about the cottage sale. Cleo admits they can’t leave early and are scrambling for help at home.
Sabrina interrupts, and the group regathers. Parth buys a novel panned by the Wall Street Journal; Kimmy recognizes the authors. Outside, Wyn tells Harriet he spoke to Parth and agrees they must tell the truth after the week, prioritizing Sabrina and Parth’s wedding.
Wyn reveals his purchase: an expensive Eames design coffee-table book. His uncharacteristic spending and frequent texting set off Harriet’s alarm; she wonders if he’s “nesting” or dating someone new. Sabrina and Parth return with coffee, and Kimmy and Cleo present sunflowers and announce they’ve ordered bouquets for the wedding, to Sabrina’s delight.
The group heads toward popovers despite Harriet’s stomach. Wyn notices Harriet’s spiraling and jokes with her, invoking their old “vast” inside joke, underscoring their lingering intimacy amid growing uncertainty.
Who Appears
- Harriet (Harry)Hungover, nostalgic about Wyn’s care, deflects Cleo’s concerns, agrees to reveal breakup after the week, unsettled by Wyn’s changes.
- WynCalm and attentive; agrees to confess post-trip; buys an expensive Eames coffee-table book and texts often, worrying Harriet.
- SabrinaOrganizes the outing; delivers pointed jabs at Cleo about the canceled visit; excited about wedding flowers and popovers.
- CleoTired and stressed about farm; confides near-cancellation; orders wedding bouquets; sensitive to Sabrina’s iciness.
- ParthBuys a contrarian-reviewed novel; supportive and playful with Sabrina; enjoys coffee and wedding build-up.
- KimmyEnergetic, wins the grocery race, recognizes authors, selects sunflowers with Cleo for the wedding.