The Girl Before

The chapter opens on Edward preparing sashimi lobster for Emma. Edward tells Emma that he’s in the running to win a contest to design a whole town using the same principles as One Folgate Street. Emma says out loud that she “can’t believe most people would want to live like this” (137) and narrates internally that when Edward comes over, she “still frantically rush[es] around” (137) cleaning up. In bed, after dinner, Edward tells Emma, “you’re mine now,” and she describes feeling a “strange little thrill of satisfaction, of being owned” (139). Later on, Edward is cleaning up in the kitchen, and drops the teapot that Simon had bought Emma.

Later in the chapter, Emma goes to court to give testimony against Deon Nelson, the man who assaulted her. After testifying, DI Clarke and the lawyer explain to her that the “magistrates have granted bail” (148) and that there are some difficulties with the case. DI Clarke asks Emma if she’s positive that she hasn’t seen Nelson, and she says no, even though she’s not sure. While Emma is talking to DI Clarke and the lawyer, Simon interrupts, trying to win her attention back. Emma is grateful for Edward’s presence as he cuts off Simon’s pleas.