The Night She Disappeared

Scarlett’s friends come to Zach and Tallulah’s table and order shots and food. Tallulah notes Scarlett’s manic energy and worries about who will pay for all the food and drinks. When one of Scarlett’s friends offers everyone drugs, Zach takes some, shocking Tallulah, who refuses to partake. Tallulah realizes that “the night has transmogrified into something alien and electric” (315).

Scarlett starts touching Tallulah under the table, upsetting Tallulah so much that she has a revelation: “She’s changed her mind. She wants to go home with Zach” (316). But Scarlett convinces Tallulah to drink more. When last call is announced, Scarlett shouts that she is now going to be hosting a pool party. With a “look filled with bad intentions” (317), Zach tells Tallulah he wants to go to the pool party.

Pippa, Shaun’s ex-wife, brings over the twins, Lily and Jack. Pippa complains about the long drive, Jack thinks the house smells, and Lily thinks there might be lots of spiders in the house. After Pippa leaves, Shaun, Sophie, and kids watch TV.

Sophie looks at the picture of the spiral staircase on her phone, putting all the pieces together. Looking over the information she received from Jacinta Croft, she learns that many of the old houses with secret tunnels hid the entrances behind paintings, sliding walls, or architectural features—like spiral staircases.