Chapter 44: Kate

Summary

• Kate is hiding in the attic, tasting blood in her mouth, while Simon, her abusive ex-boyfriend, is searching for her in the cottage.
• Simon is heard slamming cupboards and breaking porcelain in frustration.
• While Simon searches outside, Kate lights candles in the attic and feels comforted by her Aunt Violet's belongings around her.
• Kate attempts to call 999 for the police but loses signal after the first ring.
• When Simon re-enters the house, Kate hangs up to avoid detection and considers the years of abuse she has suffered at his hands.
• Her determination to protect both herself and her child fills her with a new resolve to not let Simon hurt her anymore.
• Unable to get phone reception to call for help, Kate texts Emily to call the police but the message fails to send repeatedly, leaving her feeling alone.
• She searches for a weapon in the attic, wishing she had taken the fire poker from the sitting room.
• Discovering a letter 'W' carved onto the handle of a bureau drawer — matching her necklace — her attention shifts to unlocking the drawer's secret.
• Kate uses a hidden key within her locket to unlock the drawer, revealing a letter from Aunt Violet hinting at assistance from an unnamed 'she'.
• Inside the drawer, Kate discovers a centuries-old book with parchment pages which begins with a mysterious account of a ten-day captivity.