Chapter Seventy-Six
Contains spoilersOverview
In a cold, disused seaside pavilion, Ash gathers a coalition of victims and witnesses to confront Nick Radcliffe, also known by multiple aliases. The group includes women he stalked, scammed, assaulted, and blackmailed, as well as relatives connected to older cases now reopened by police. As the meeting begins, a car arrives outside, signaling Nick’s approach and the start of their planned reckoning.
Summary
Ash, Nina, and a large group assemble in the old ice cream pavilion by the beach, sitting on hastily arranged wooden chairs. The air is damp and still, underscoring the gravity of the gathering. Ash surveys the room, taking in the faces of those who have been harmed by Nick Radcliffe, a man known to many by different names and personas.
Emma Greenlaw sits beside Nina, signaling their alliance. Laura attends with her elder daughter, Lola. Sam and Joel, Amanda Law’s adult sons, are present, as are two young women from a neighborhood app who previously accused Nick of stalking. These core participants are joined by additional women who responded to a Facebook page—DON’T LET HIM IN—created days earlier by Nina, Emma, and Ash to collect testimonies and connect victims.
Several women recount stalking incidents: Kadija, who reported Nick for making her uncomfortable at her Tooting coffee shop four years prior, and another woman followed in Hastings just over a week earlier who says he “sniffed the back of her neck.” Others describe being scammed via sham life-coaching training or short-term dating that ended in theft of money, jewelry, and dignity. Jessica Bland relates a recent assault and blackmail by a man she knew as “André,” who she says worked as a £500-a-night escort with dozens of clients nationwide.
The gathering also connects Nick to older, serious matters. Discussion turns to Joe Kritner’s account of a “Silver Man” tied to Paddy’s case, which police have reopened with a fresh review of CCTV and eyewitness reports. Authorities have also reopened the Tara Truscott disappearance and are now investigating Amanda Law’s disappearance.
Collectively, the group frames this meeting as the moment to end Nick’s pattern of abuse, manipulation, and theft. They intend to bear witness to his actions and coordinate with the ongoing police inquiries.
As the surf crackles outside, the sound of tires on gravel approaches. Ash exchanges a look with her mother, who squeezes Ash’s hand. Ash checks her phone and confirms the implication: Nick has arrived.
Who Appears
- Aisling “Ash” Swann
organizer; surveys the assembled victims; confirms Nick’s arrival.
- Nina Swann
Ash’s mother; present, supportive; squeezes Ash’s hand before the confrontation.
- Emma Greenlaw
victim and organizer; sits with Nina; co-created the DON’T LET HIM IN page.
- Laura
attendee connected to prior events; arrives with her daughter.
- Lola
Laura’s elder daughter; present at the meeting.
- Sam
Amanda Law’s adult son; present as a witness/family member.
- Joel
Amanda Law’s adult son; present as a witness/family member.
- Kadija
new; coffee shop worker from Tooting who reported Nick’s behavior four years ago.
- Hastings victim
new; woman followed and harassed (sniffed neck) by Nick about a week ago.
- Jessica Bland
new; recent assault and £20K blackmail victim of “André,” describes his escort activity.
- Neighborhood app accusers
two women who previously reported Nick for stalking; present.
- Other scammed women
victims of life-coaching and dating scams; present to testify.
- Police (referenced)
investigating reopened cases of Paddy (via Joe Kritner’s “Silver Man”), Tara Truscott, and Amanda Law.
- Nick Radcliffe
antagonist; not yet onstage in the room, but his arrival is heard outside.
- Joe Kritner
referenced; source of “Silver Man” account tied to Paddy’s case.
- Paddy
referenced; subject of reopened investigation.
- Tara Truscott
referenced; her disappearance has been reopened.
- Amanda Law
referenced; her disappearance is now under police investigation.