The Housemaid Is Watching
by Freida McFadden
Contents
Chapter 33
Overview
Millie has an awkward run-in with Suzette, who complains about the family’s trash timing and pressures Millie to accommodate her. A plumber then confronts Millie over a bounced $300 check, and Suzette pays him in cash, leaving Millie indebted to her. The incident triggers Millie’s suspicion that money has gone missing from the checking account and that Enzo may be hiding something.
Summary
Walking home from the bus stop, Millie is intercepted by neighbor Suzette, who is dressed for work and eager to chat. Suzette makes a pointed request: she wants Millie’s family to put their trash out later on the evening before pickup because seeing it from her house during dinner is “unsightly.” Millie explains that Nico takes the trash out after dinner and that he is only nine, but Suzette suggests Millie do it herself.
Before Millie can respond further, a plumber arrives at Millie’s house and confronts her on the sidewalk, accusing her of writing a bad check for the recent toilet repair. Millie is shocked, insisting she believed the checking account had enough money to cover the $300 payment.
The plumber refuses credit cards and announces he will not leave until he is paid in cash. Millie offers to go to an ATM, but the plumber plants himself in front of the house, escalating the embarrassment as Suzette watches.
Suzette volunteers to get cash, returns quickly with a wad of bills, and pays the plumber in full. The plumber thanks Suzette and leaves after giving Millie a final hostile look, effectively ending Millie’s chance of using that service again.
Millie thanks Suzette and promises to repay her, but the incident leaves Millie alarmed. If the account couldn’t cover a $300 check, Millie wonders where the money went and whether Enzo might have taken it out without telling her.
Who Appears
- MillieConfronted over a bounced check; forced to accept Suzette’s help and suspects missing money.
- SuzetteComplains about the family’s trash; pays the plumber in cash, gaining leverage over Millie.
- The plumberAccuses Millie of a bad $300 check and refuses to leave until paid in cash.
- EnzoMentioned as absent; Millie wonders if he withdrew money without telling her.
- NicoMentioned as responsible for taking out the trash, limited by his bedtime.