Chapter 9: Kate
Summary
- Kate hastily leaves a place, feeling disturbed by the crows and the memories of a past incident.
- She considers returning to London but is haunted by a previous attempt to leave her partner, Simon, and the violent argument they had about her job in children's publishing.
- Kate recalls Simon’s control over her and her realization that he was the problem, not her job.
- She remembers Simon's first act of physical violence and her decision to leave him, resulting in a stay at a cold hotel while receiving his pleading texts.
- After hearing a voicemail from Simon claiming he overdosed in a suicide attempt, she rushes back to him only to find out he faked it.
- Following this incident, Kate resigns from her job, further isolating herself from her supportive colleagues and independence.
- Back in present time, Kate decides against returning to Simon, fearing for her safety and the safety of her unborn child.
- The next day, Kate goes to the local village for supplies, feeling the freedom and trepidation of being alone for the first time in a while.
- She encounters reminders of her oppressive relationship with Simon even while engaging in simple tasks like grocery shopping.
- In conversation with the cashier, Kate learns she may be connected to an old family name, Weyward, which she was previously unaware of.
- Upon returning to the cottage she inherited, Kate searches for any links between her family and the Weywards.
- While searching, she finds old passports and draws a parallel between the young woman in the photos (her Aunt Violet) and herself.