The Only One Left

In Interlude 5, the typist looked for her best friend, Archie. She was distressed by knowledge of her father’s affair, and hoped Archie could comfort her. When she climbed onto the terrace railing, a stranger’s voice cautioned her against falling over. Perturbed by the familiar tone that this member of the staff took, the typist got defensive about his condescension. He introduced himself as Ricky.

In the present, Lenora refuses to answer Kit’s questions, because that would mean recounting events out of order, and the chronology is essential to understanding how events unfolded. Kit again hears the strange nighttime noises that sound like someone moving around Lenora’s room. In the morning, the house has palpably shifted several inches toward the cliff. Lenora again denies that anyone has been in her room, but Kit suspects Lenora is not being completely honest. She refuses to allow Lenora to type any more pages until Lenora explains who was in her room last night. Lenora types her dead sister’s name: Virginia.

Kit calls Mr. Gurlain and asks for reassignment. He repeats that if Kit quits at Hope’s End, she cannot work for Gurlain Home Health Aides at all.