Case Histories: A Novel

Caroline jokingly asks for a Mercedes for her birthday and Jonathan buys it for her. She thinks that he must be getting it as a farewell gift, since she knows he has a mistress and is bored with her marriage. She decides to take the car and leave, making a fresh start with her unborn child. She wants the baby to grow up feeling loved and cherished and knows that will not happen here. On her way out of town, she sees the vicar on a bike path and offers him a ride, telling him that she is leaving and will never come back. He realizes she is not joking and tries to decide as she counts to 10.

Michelle is furious at Keith for waking the baby and tosses the ax near him. He becomes enraged and she is frightened, but before he can grab the ax, Shirley takes it and kills him. Shirley then tells Michelle that she has ruined all their lives. Michelle, feeling guilty for her lack of maternal love and her rage, tells Shirley that she will take the blame. She asks her to give Tanya a fresh start and do what she cannot for her child.