Chapter 7 Summary

Main Novel

More of Iris's mystery begins to unravel with the opening of Chapter 7. She possesses a steamer trunk - one from her 1935 honeymoon trip to Europe with Richard Griffen - full of handwritten text and a couple of first edition books. It is hinted that Laura wrote these, but the question does arise: did Iris actually write stories, including the sub-novel? Many have written to Iris in hopes of interviewing her about her dead sister but she has steadfastly refused. She keeps the existence and contents of the steamer trunk a secret from the world.

On a trip into Toronto to see her lawyer, Iris asks Walter to drive her past her old home - the one she shared with Richard as a newly married woman. It is still there, and now has tendrils of ivy fingering up the brickwork. Iris feels...