Chapter 29
Contains spoilersOverview
Nina returns from dropping Cecelia at camp and, after a shopping spree, belittles Millie while raising suspicion about an unanswered house call. Millie deflects and secretly warns Andrew, fearing exposure of their affair. A look at the bathtub rekindles Millie’s dread about Cecelia’s past and Nina’s volatility.
Summary
Nina arrives home around midafternoon after dropping Cecelia at camp, hauling several heavy shopping bags and dumping them in the living room. She orders Millie to carry them upstairs and mocks Millie for being “soft,” asserting her dominance while Millie complies.
As Millie struggles with the bags, Nina asks why a call to the house line at 11 p.m. went unanswered. Millie claims she was asleep and suggests Andrew might have gone out. Nina is skeptical and says she will ask Andrew, signaling suspicion without pressing further.
Upstairs, Millie leaves the bags in the master bedroom and pauses in the large bathroom, eyeing the high-rimmed bathtub. Remembering the nanny’s story about Nina forcing Cecelia under water, Millie imagines the scene and recognizes how dangerous exposure of her secret with Andrew could be.
Determined to protect herself, Millie texts Andrew a warning that Nina called the house the previous night, trusting Andrew to manage Nina’s suspicions and keep their affair hidden.
Who Appears
- Millie
Maid and narrator; endures Nina’s jabs, lies about a missed call, fears discovery, and warns Andrew.
- Nina Winchester
Returns from camp drop-off, flaunts shopping, belittles Millie, and questions an unanswered 11 p.m. house call.
- Andrew Winchester
Offstage; missed the late call and receives Millie’s warning about Nina’s suspicions.
- Cecelia Winchester
Offstage; dropped at camp. Past alleged bathtub incident heightens Millie’s fear of Nina.