Effie

After the night and most of a morning spent in the hospital, John and Effie made it home. Princess was on Effie instantly, purring and chatting with her. John goes to make tea to soothe frayed nerves, and when it had brewed he also fetches Effie's hair brush. Not her wig brush, he'd made that mistake only once. Then he turns on the telly to a mindless cooking show and gently begins to untangle her locks. He knows she's well doped. He thinks the repetative motion might soothe her.

"When you've drunk your tea we'll go to bed. I'll deal with the police. You need your rest," he says.