Watching You: A Novel

Tom summons Jenna to his office. He confides that his wife believes Jenna’s mother is stalking their family. Jenna explains that Frances is unwell and mistakenly identified Tom as someone from her past. Later, she gets mad at Bess upon discovering that she divulged information about Jenna’s mother to Tom.

Freddie wraps the skirt and leaves it at Romola’s house. Later, he overhears his parents discussing Jenna and Frances. They mention the Lake District holiday, and Freddie remembers the day a woman publicly attacked his father.

Jenna observes Tom at school, concerned about Bess’s strong attachment. On her way home, she notices a boy trailing her. As their eyes meet, he quickens his pace and introduces himself as Freddie, Tom’s son, and asks if she is familiar with his father. Jenna avoids the question. Returning home, she discovers Frances engrossed in one of her chat rooms related to gang stalking. In her room, she monitors Bess’s social media activity and tries to research Tom. A wave of loneliness washes over her.

Freddie worries about his spontaneous encounter with Jenna. At home, he notices that Nicola’s mood drops after Alfie’s departure. Freddie considers inviting Romola to the dance.

Tom gives Joey a lift to work. During the car ride, Tom mentions that Nicola used to be a student at a school where he taught. He didn’t know her then, but she later mentioned the connection when they ran into each other on a bus. He compliments Joey’s appearance.

In the present day, Detective Pelham interrogates Joey about her relationship with Tom and the photos of Tom’s house found on her phone. Joey explains that she took the photos for Alfie’s work portfolio after he finished painting the Fitzwilliams’ residence.

Unable to locate Frances, Jenna searches for her. To her surprise, she discovers Frances in the vicinity of the hotel, accompanied by a few policemen. It appears that a couple has reported Frances for causing a disturbance. Despite her reluctance, Jenna contacts her father at the request of the police, but she refuses to admit the severity of Frances’s condition.

Freddie tells Tom about seeing Frances, Jenna, and the police. Tom proposes they dine out. During their meal, Freddie opens up to Tom about Romola and asks about the Lake District. Tom asserts that the woman who attacked him was mistaken.

While looking out her window, Joey notices Tom and Freddie leaving for the hotel. She invites Rebecca for drinks, and Tom approaches their table to exchange a few words. Joey speaks self-deprecatingly, and Rebecca insists that Joey is “superb” and should think highly of herself. She says that Joey reminds her of her sister. Rebecca confides that her sister died by suicide.

In the present day, Alfie details his whereabouts the previous night and realizes the detective suspects Joey.

Jenna lies in bed, feeling isolated and monitoring Bess online. She sees Bess exit a cab in the neighborhood on Snap Map and goes to meet her, only to find her engaged in a conversation with Tom outside the corner store.

Freddie sees Tom speak to Bess and then arrive home with a box of cereal, which he thinks is a strange errand to have inspired Tom’s sudden need to go to the store. Through the wall, he listens to his parents’ room and hears sounds of violence for the first time since their move.

Joey asks Jack about the suicide of Rebecca’s sister, wondering why he never told her. Jack points out that Rebecca’s private trauma is hers to share and reminds her that Joey was in Ibiza when Jack and Rebecca were getting to know one another, learning the details of one another’s lives.

Tom summons Jenna to his office, concerned after the police incident. Jenna starts to cry uncontrollably. Tom reassures her that he will assist in keeping her in Melville if her mother requires hospitalization for her mental health.

Freddie intends to invite Romola to the dance and gets mad at an acquaintance who says that guys “like them” don’t take girls to dances. That evening, he again surveils Romola. He later discovers Nicola watching television with a pale complexion and a bruised neck.

Jenna approaches Freddie on the street and asks him about the Lake District, mentioning the word “viva” as they discuss their respective experiences from the trip. Jenna raises concerns about Tom’s behavior towards young girls, and Freddie is uncertain, admitting that he does sometimes suspect that his father has a dark side. Later, Jenna confronts Bess about her association with Tom. Bess takes offense and accuses Jenna of resembling her mother and growing paranoid.

Freddie reflects on his conversation with Jenna, feeling uncertain about the Lake District, Tom, and his parents’ relationship. He thinks about Romola and realizes he doesn’t like his appearance. He decides to shave his head and loves the result, feeling that he no longer resembles a “private-school freak.”

Nicola hates Freddie’s shaved head. Freddie tries to ask her about her bruises and Tom’s violence, but Nicola claims not to know what he is talking about. Freddie then asks about the Lake District incident, but Nicola initially denies this memory. When pressed, she suggests that maybe the woman was distressed because her daughter was expelled or failed. Freddie realizes that his mother’s mention of a daughter was a slip. He hadn’t known a daughter was involved.

After Nicola pays Alfie, he sends Joey to fetch champagne. She runs into Tom, who accompanies her home. In the street, Tom confesses his feelings for Joey, and they engage in a brief embrace. When a passing car interrupts them, they pull away.