The Therapist

The therapist is working from a different office, and a new client sits in an uncomfortable-looking chair. Dressed all in black, the client explains she is “[t]rying ‘to fit in’ with other women” (159). She says that there is nothing wrong with her life, and yet she is unhappy. When the therapist quotes Henry David Thoreau’s view on happiness, she responds positively.

Alice wakes up in the bedroom, certain that someone is in the room. She turns on the light, but no one is there. After searching the house armed with a kitchen knife, Alice stays awake until morning, when she feels safe to sleep. Later, she finds loose blond hair on the kitchen worktops. Alopecia is a fear of Alice’s due to her having experienced significant hair loss following the death of her parents and sister.

Alice notes a bottle of champagne in the fridge and assumes Leo left it there. On her way to meet Ginny for lunch, she sees Edward in the garden. Edward has learned about Alice’s bereavement from his wife and offers his condolences. Alice tells him an inexperienced young driver was responsible for the car accident.