Jonathan wandered Mayfair unsettled after Emma, Tara’s daughter, confronted him and swayed Tara to her side. He fixated on retaliatory thoughts while acknowledging his precarious, improvisational existence, now reduced to sleeping on a sofa in Tooting after failing to secure Tara’s money.

Turning onto Curzon Street, Jonathan took solace in an empty retail unit he and would-be partner Luke Berner planned to convert into a glamorous wine bar. He fantasized about public success and showing the venue to Martha, whose admiration he craved. He recalled telling Luke he had £500,000 coming from a “sale of an asset,” actually the hoped-for proceeds from selling Tara’s house.

Jonathan arrived at Luke’s office and performed confidence, claiming a cash buyer would soon free his funds. Luke pressed about gaps in Jonathan’s résumé. Jonathan admitted using pseudonyms, including “Nick Radcliffe,” and claimed it was for safety, with different names across bank accounts and passports. Luke disclosed another investor, Jensen de Witt, was ready to fund but distrusted Jonathan; citing the opaque CV and missing funds, Luke withdrew Jonathan from the deal. Jonathan masked his anger, joked on departure, and refused to reveal his “real name.”

Outside, Jonathan vented his fury against a wall, then longed to see Martha but recognized he needed money first to maintain the illusion of success. He decided to get it from Amanda.

When Amanda came home, she asked about his supposed hospital appointment. Jonathan claimed bad news about his heart and an imminent week-long treatment in a northern hospital, requiring costly train travel and occasional hotels, and asked her for £800 (or £500). He pressed her for credit, overdraft, or even borrowing from her working sons.

As Amanda questioned the treatment, Jonathan escalated, describing experimental “laser” therapy and dramatizing symptoms—breathlessness, fatigue, and pain—to trigger her concern. Playing on her residual love, he asked for water and to lie down. Amanda’s skepticism softened into worry and affection, and she agreed to try to find the money.