The Keeper of Stories

Mike is Janice’s husband and is the father to their only child, Simon. Mike is a flat, static character who does not experience change in his traits. He floats from one job to the next, never learning that his penchant for pointing out the fallibilities of coworkers and bosses inevitably leads to his dismissal or forced resignation. He has had 30 jobs in 28 years. Janice might have stayed with Mike except for his decision to exploit the one thing in Janice’s life for which she feels personal pride: her cleaning career. Mike invests their life savings in cleaning products and equipment without consulting Janice and then expects her to use her clients as customers and referrals. Janice leaves him on the spot.

Mike’s actions help to show the inner strength that Janice has that is hidden from most people including him. Mike thinks that Janice is having an affair after she leaves him, but with Geordie, a client, not with Euan, even though he sees Janice and Euan together. His incorrect assumption symbolizes his daftness and inability to see the needs of others, especially Janice throughout their marriage.

Gruff and cantankerous are traits that describe Mrs. B, but she is also genuine, loyal, and strong. Mrs. B is the mother of Tiberius and the mother-in-law of Tiberius’s wife, Mrs. YeahYeahYeah. These two are Janice’s least favorite clients, and they intend to use Janice for their ulterior motive: force Mrs. B out of her home, which is situated adjacent to one of Cambridge’s colleges, and then sell it to the college for a virtual-reality space. Tiberius tells Mrs. B that she must accept cleaning help or move out. Instead of refusing Janice’s cleaning services (as Tiberius thought she would), Mrs. B accepts them.

Mrs. B was a spy who deeply loved her husband, Augustus, a Master of the college and spy for MI6, symbolized by her many books, bottles of wine, and other mementos that she and Augustus collected together in their marriage. Mrs. B rose to social prominence in her life; her formal title is “Lady,” but Janice uses the name Mrs. B; later, Janice learns that her name is Rosie, but out of respect, she continues to use “Mrs. B.” Mrs. B tells Janice the story of a woman who fought for herself at every turn (using the pseudonym “Becky” after the character of Becky in Vanity Fair, Janice’s favorite novel). Supporting the theme of Storytelling as a Means of Connection, she tells the Becky story to prompt Janice’s increased awareness and appreciation of herself.

Janice is hesitant to fully trust Mrs. B because she can be sneaky, hurtful, and prying. Eventually, Janice becomes Mrs. B’s supporter and friend, siding with her in the fight over the property and bringing her gin when Tiberius confiscates the alcohol. Janice learns that Mrs. B is equally in her corner; Mrs. B negotiates the release of Decius to Janice in exchange for moving from the house, and she tells Euan Janice’s story when Janice cannot bring herself to do so. Mrs. B is a complex, round, dynamic character who serves in the role of an archetypal ally to Janice, finding fulfillment in helping those she deems selfless (Janice) while defeating those she knows are selfish (Tiberius).

Fiona is one of Janice’s cleaning clients. She has a 12-year-old son, Adam. Fiona’s husband, John, a doctor, died by suicide in the previous year. Her grief prompted Fiona to take up undertaking as a new career. Fiona worries at length about her grieving son’s mental health. Her outlet is a large dollhouse that she continually works on as a hobby. Euan and Janice are instrumental in helping Fiona when Adam runs away, and Janice learns from Fiona’s grieving process that healing takes time and effort.

Fiona’s parenting mistakes (such as offering a new dog when Tiberius cuts off contact with Decius) are made in an attempt to protect Adam from harm and pain; she worries about her ability to help Adam heal, though once he is safely returned home, they have a heart-to-heart conversation that sets them more firmly on the path to healthy grief. Fiona’s character is thus dynamic and complex and supports the theme of The Paralyzing Effects of Guilt.

Decius is a pricey, pedigreed fox terrier belonging to Tiberius and Mrs. YeahYeahYeah. Janice walks Decius frequently as part of her job because she loves him as if he is her own. When Janice discovers Adam’s love for Decius, she begins to allow Adam to walk and play with the dog, something that infuriates Tiberius when he finds out. In a fulfilling turn during the falling action, Mrs. B’s agreement to move to an elder care facility hinges on Tiberius’s willingness to give up Decius to Janice, which he does for the money he expects to receive from the sale of Mrs. B’s old home.

Janice believes that she knows what Decius is thinking at any given turn. In her imagination, he reacts to his pompous owners in “words” that Janice can only dream of using: “And how the fuck would you know what Janice is like? You never even talk to her!” (33). Notably, when Tiberius grips Janice’s arm to try to get her to reveal where Stan’s brandy came from, Decius sides with Janice immediately, growling at Tiberius. Janice feels that Decius is her ally; the dog is a static character, as his loyalties and behavior do not change.

Euan is the Scottish bus driver who responds to Janice’s early awkward comments as she boards and leaves the bus. Janice thinks that Euan looks like a geography teacher, and she refers to him as both the bus driver and the geography teacher before she learns his name. Euan pursues Janice by finding her as she goes to a client’s house one day shortly after she leaves Mike; this shows his growing interest in her even as she is “crushing” on him. They grow out of their awkwardness throughout a few dates, and Janice begins to fall hard for Euan; however, she is too saddled by guilt from her past to allow herself the kind of commitment that a relationship with Euan would likely mean, and she breaks it off.

Euan pursues Janice again with Mrs. B’s encouragement; after he learns Janice’s story, he tells Janice pointedly that she must learn to forgive herself and tend to the lasting trauma that young Janice experienced. Euan is a static, steady, kind ally who shows Janice the value of having more than one story. Like Fiona, he also teaches Janice that forgiveness of the self and others can be a long process.