The Shell Seekers

Penelope and Antonia drive home together and discuss Antonia’s future plans. They arrive home to find that the maid, Mrs. Plackett, has tea ready and waiting. Noel arrives unexpectedly and quarrels with his mother over her decision to give The Shell Seekers to the gallery. Like Nancy, Noel accuses Penelope of not giving her children what they deserve. Danus calls Antonia after his appointment at the hospital and tells her that the computers were down, and he won’t know the results of the tests for a few days. He has decided to go fishing with an old friend and will call her when he returns. On Monday, Penelope goes into London and visits her friend, Lalla Friedmann. Penelope also visits her lawyer, Mr. Enderby. That night, Penelope has trouble sleeping. The next morning, she goes out into the garden, has a heart attack, and dies.

Mrs. Plackett calls Olivia to inform her of her mother’s death. Mrs. Plackett and Olivia take care of the details for the funeral and the sale of the house. Antonia volunteers to remain at Podmore’s Thatch until it can be sold. After that, she tells Olivia that her future depends on the state of Danus’s health.