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Finished part 2!

(view spoiler)[ Okay now everything has gone completely crazy. Francis and Lilian are in love and making plans together. I had a feeling that maybe someone (Lil, Francis, or Len) would die, but had no idea it would be in such a way. I was expected a murder, not an accident. The last chapter was a whirlwind! I can't believe Lilian would go through with the pills. Ahhhh

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Definitely not slow anymore!

About 70% through (sorry I'm listening to audio and can't remember the chapter)

I'm starting to wonder (view spoiler)[ if Mr. Barber had some secrets of his own that are going to come to light. The police are right when they say it was only Mr. Barber's word that some soldier attacked him in the lane. And with his friend lying about what time he came home. I wonder if Mr. Barber actually had a mistress he was keeping secret, which could be why he assumed Lilian was cheating too.

It's also interesting that the police just assume the murderer is a man. I'm a little worried that Francis will be charged for this murder.

I feel so bad for Lilian and Francis. The emotions they must being going through. All they wanted was to be happy together, but now they did a terrible thing and will have to live with the consequences. (hide spoiler)]

About 88% through

(view spoiler)[Ugh I am so annoyed with Lilian. She acts so innocent, but really she is such a pathetic person. She dragged Francis into all this drama without her even knowing what was going on. Francis truly loved Lilian, but Lil seems so conniving I can't believe anything she has said/done. Now she has her family around her, but Francis is abandoned with her fears. I'm just tired of Lilian's crying routine. She has no thought for poor Francis. (hide spoiler)]

I will let you finish and then talk about Lilian's and France's relationship.

Ok I'm finished!

The ending (view spoiler)[ was actually surprising. I thought for sure they would bring in a guilty verdict and that Francis and Lilian would be going to prison. Or they would change their mind and not confess at all.

I'm actually glad that they got a some-what happy ending. All they went through (and I'm not condoning the murder and lies, but I do think they were an accident) just to be happy together. They loved each other and it's terrible to think that they couldn't be together because of Lil's forced marriage and the opinions of people at the time. Even Francis' mother couldn't accept her for who she was.

I think I've changed my mind about Lilian/Francis' relationship. I have swung more towards believing it was real. Maybe Lilian was desperate for a change from her husband, but then found she really did fall in love. I don't think she would have made it through the whole ordeal if she didn't. Especially because in the end she went to Francis and didn't just leave her completely. (hide spoiler)]

Camilla wrote - (view spoiler)["And I also feel that the guilt will remain between them like a grain of sand, always causing a small uncomfortable pain. I wonder whether they will stay together for long, despite the ending." (hide spoiler)]

I agree with that. (view spoiler)[ I am just not convinced that they will be able to move on with their lives together (or even apart) with the knowledge of what they did together. I'm glad the author left it open ended. (hide spoiler)]

Rebecca - that is what I wanted to say - I believe it was real between them, but we think differently for awhile because it is from the POV of Frances and she goes through those same thoughts and fears of being used.