Into the Water

As she goes for a run, Erin recalls confronting Sean in the car about Nel. Sean lost his temper, bringing up Erin’s “service record” in comparison to his, then kicked her out of the car. Erin acknowledged that “Sean Townsend is a good man” (335) but also that this didn’t necessarily mean anything. Returning to the Wards’ cottage, Erin finds Nickie on her doorstep. Nickie insists that Erin should focus on Lauren because “she’s the one who started all this!” (337). Erin goes to Sean’s house to pick him up for work. Finding him already gone, Erin decides to talk to Helen. In the living room, she finds pictures of Patrick in army and police uniforms, Sean as a child, and Sean and Helen’s wedding. As the main house is empty, Erin tries Patrick’s cottage; she finds a door open and goes inside. Erin pokes around Patrick’s room, finding numerous pictures of Helen in his bedside drawer. Hearing a noise, Erin moves out to the landing and sees Helen downstairs, holding a knife. 

Helen explains to Erin that she cut herself by accident, when in reality she saw Erin go into Patrick’s cottage and followed her there. Helen tells Erin that Patrick’s late wife “was a slattern” (341).