Daisy Darker

The group hears an alarm and goes to investigate. In the kitchen, they find the back door open and notice that the rhyme relating to Nancy has been crossed out on the chalkboard. Trixie observes that her own lines are also struck out and asks what it means. Lily accuses Rose of being the perpetrator, pointing out that she left the living room and often invented strange rhymes as a child. Conor interrupts to point out large muddy footprints leading to the back door.

Outside, Nancy is sitting on the garden bench in the dark and rain, wearing an eye mask. An alarm clock is ringing beside her. The dial reads 3:00am, and an accompanying message states, “THERE IS ALWAYS TIME FOR TRUTH” (230). In one hand, Nancy holds The Observer’s Book of Wildflowers. In the other hand is a bouquet of daisies, lilies, and roses tied with red ribbon. Ivy is wrapped around her neck, and her locket is open, revealing a pressed daisy and a photograph of her youngest daughter as a baby. When Rose confirms Nancy is dead, Lily is grief-stricken.

Nancy

A poem describes Nancy as a “cold-hearted” woman who saw Daisy’s heart condition as a burden.