Chapter 42: Interview with David Fanshaw
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Jen Rafferty travels from Paddington to the private school where David Fanshaw works. After being buzzed in and signing a visitor log, she waits in a wood-panelled reception area. Fanshaw arrives apologetic and leads her to his office, which overlooks playing fields. He explains that he challenged his aunt Grace’s will because he felt entitled to her money. He describes his two encounters with Jeremy Rosco. The first was an unexpected visit to his aunt’s house, where he found Rosco cooking lunch and calling his aunt “Gracie.” The second meeting occurred when Fanshaw went to Morrisham to propose splitting the inheritance. Rosco laughed off the suggestion, claiming Grace left him everything so he could sail around the world. Fanshaw notes that during that second visit, a young woman let him in and made coffee before disappearing; Rosco dismissed her as “a good maid.” Fanshaw says he noticed a look that suggested the woman was playing a role. Jen leaves the interview convinced Fanshaw is now content with his life. Outside, she checks her phone and learns from Venn and May that Eleanor Lawson is missing.
Key Events
- Jen arrives at Fanshaw’s school and signs in, noting the discreet, upscale setting.
- Fanshaw recalls his aunt Grace leaving almost everything to Jeremy Rosco, a young man he barely knew.
- Fanshaw describes the first meeting with Rosco: a scruffy young man in cut-off jeans cooking mackerel, calling Grace “Gracie.”
- Fanshaw explains his second visit to Morrisham to negotiate, but Rosco laughed and refused any compromise.
- Fanshaw mentions a small, pretty girl who let him in on the second occasion; she made coffee and then left the room.
- Fanshaw admits he once believed Rosco had charmed Grace for selfish ends, but no longer bears a grudge.
- Jen receives news that Eleanor Lawson has gone missing.
Character Development
Jen Rafferty exhibits self‑awareness about her own biases. She recalls Venn’s criticism about jumping to conclusions and the “chip on her shoulder.” On meeting Fanshaw, she initially likes him but then reminds herself to keep a clear head. Her interview is thorough and professional, drawing out details about Rosco’s early life without forcing the witness.
David Fanshaw appears to have matured considerably. He openly admits he was once a “priggish, obnoxious” young man who resented his aunt’s choice. Twenty years later, he has built a rewarding teaching career and claims he is no longer bitter. His recollection of the girl’s demeanor hints at a sharper observational ability than he had in his youth.
Jeremy Rosco is revealed only through Fanshaw’s memories: charming, dismissive, and defiant. The story of the returned locket is mentioned (though not quoted) and reinforces Rosco’s ability to win over Grace. Fanshaw’s suspicion that Rosco had “pulled it off” by bragging suggests a cunning streak.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Class and Entitlement: Fanshaw’s initial sense of privilege (“I had been relying on my aunt’s money to set me up”) clashes with Rosco’s working‑class, free‑spirited life. Jen’s own Catholic‑school background makes her sensitive to the wealth gap.
- Memory and Regret: Fanshaw can recall the mackerel lunch in vivid detail, yet he now feels shame at his younger self. His narration shows how time reshapes perspective.
- The “Girl” as a Puzzle: The unnamed woman who appeared at the house during Fanshaw’s second visit adds a layer of mystery. Her “look” at Rosco suggests she was more than a passive girlfriend; this may be a lead the police will follow.
- Missing Persons: The chapter ends with Eleanor Lawson’s disappearance, raising the emotional stakes and linking Fanshaw’s old story to the present case.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 42 provides essential backstory on Jeremy Rosco’s past, showing how he acquired the money that allowed him to pursue his sailing dreams. Fanshaw’s account of the mysterious girl offers a new clue—a person who may know Rosco better than anyone else. The sudden news that Eleanor Lawson is missing shifts the investigation into urgent territory, connecting the cold‑case elements of Rosco’s death with a present‑day threat.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why did David Fanshaw originally challenge his aunt’s will, and how has his attitude changed since then?
Fanshaw challenged the will because he felt entitled to his aunt’s money after his parents died. He believed Rosco had tricked Grace. Over time, however, he realised his own selfishness and came to appreciate that the loss forced him to build a career he loves. He no longer holds a grudge.
2. What detail about the girl who let Fanshaw into the house does he find significant?
He recalls that she was small and pretty, with a lovely smile, and that she made coffee before leaving the room. More importantly, he noticed a look she gave Rosco that made him think she was playing a role—that the “dutiful girlfriend” act didn’t quite fit her. This suggests she may have been complicit in Rosco’s schemes or at least aware of them.
3. How does Jen’s self‑awareness affect her interview technique in this chapter?
Jen remembers Venn’s advice to keep a clear head and not let her own prejudices cloud her judgment. She initially feels a positive bias toward Fanshaw (“fatherly… she found herself liking him”) but then reminds herself that her instincts aren’t enough. This discipline allows her to ask neutral questions, such as whether Rosco was alone with Grace, and to note Fanshaw’s evolving attitude without pushing him.