The Night She Disappeared

In an undated chapter, Liam tells Sophie about his relationship with Scarlett. She was nothing like the girls he knew on his family farm. When they kissed, Liam “was, for the first time in his life, madly, properly […] in love” (142). Then, Scarlett started engaging in increasingly risky behaviors, getting “a fake ID to get tattoos in Soho” (143) and using hard drugs. Still, her family liked Liam and though he was good for Scarlett. Scarlett broke up with Liam when she left for college, despite telling him: “You’re the thing that keeps me on the straight and narrow” (145).

A few months later, Scarlett demanded Liam come over—she was having a nervous breakdown, though her loud, demanding, and narcissistic mom Joss claimed Scarlett was just seeking attention. Liam took the Maypole job after graduating. In 2018, after the disappearance of Tallulah and Zach, Scarlett and her family left but Liam stayed, assuming they would come back.

The night of the party, “The atmosphere was awkward” (147), so Liam and Lexie left early. Liam offered Zach and Tallulah a ride. Tallulah said yes, but Zach declined, telling Liam that they were staying. Though Liam didn’t see what happened at the end of the party, he tells Sophie that he suspects Zach might have killed Tallulah.