Chapter 8

Summary

• Nisha hatches a plan in the early hours to use a property her husband Carl bought during their marriage as a temporary base while sorting out her situation.
• Without a key to the house, she decides to ask the builders to let her in or, failing that, break in herself, confident that the police would not object.
• After a fitful sleep, she experiences an uncomfortable breakfast at the hotel, feeling out of place but driven by a new, strong hunger.
• Nisha plans to install herself in the Chelsea house, hire a lawyer, recover her lost bag, and then confront Carl about their marital issues.
• Realizing that most of her friends are actually Carl's, she feels isolated but desperate to find help wherever she can.
• Nisha manages to get some cash by asking her son Ray to wire her money, under the pretext of buying a surprise for Carl.
• Upon arriving at the Chelsea house, Nisha is stunned to find another family living there and discovers that Carl sold the house without her knowledge.
• The woman living in the house confirms they purchased it from the Cantors, causing Nisha to feel betrayed and question how Carl managed the sale without her consent.
• A call with her son Ray temporarily soothes her, and she promises to be home soon, continuing her façade of normalcy.
• Her visit to the gym to find her lost bag is fruitless and marked by poor customer service.
• Nisha engages with Leonie Whitman to get a recommendation for a good divorce lawyer, fabricating a story to mask her personal need.
• Saul Lowenstein, a New York divorce attorney, listens to Nisha’s grievances but explains that her American divorce papers complicate the legal proceedings in the UK.
• The lawyer mentions that without Nisha's funds available, a retainer is impossible, and therefore he cannot formally take her case.
• Lowenstein suggests that Carl might be transferring his assets offshore to defeat Nisha's claims and hints at the likelihood of an affair between Carl and his assistant.
• The call with Lowenstein leaves Nisha feeling defeated and alone as he abruptly ends the conversation, highlighting the financial barrier to his services.