The Christie Affair

At the hotel, Nan and Bess speak of Bess’s return to America, knowing Chilton is listening. Nan remembers how she obtained the poisons used in both murders, and how Bess’s sister Kitty and her husband came to pose as Mr. and Mrs. Race. Quietly, Nan and Bess discuss what they will do next. Nan recalls the murder of Mary Clare; Nan brings her the poisoned tea and talks with her; Mary Clare has no recollection of Nan. Unable to wait for the poison to act, Nan suffocates her with a pillow.

Agatha, Chilton, and Finbarr sit down to eat, and Agatha and Chilton tell Finbarr what they have learned about the Marstons. Finbarr and Agatha agree that the crime was justified, but Chilton struggles with his conscience. Finbarr, having discovered a gramophone, puts on music for them to dance to. Nan returns to find the party going, and the four of them share one last night.

The librarian who met Chilton and Agatha phones the police and recounts her sighting of the missing woman. In the Timeless Manor, the four friends stay up all night dancing. In the morning, the couples separate; Nan and Finbarr stay downstairs, and no one remembers to speak to Nan about her murder.

Back at Archie’s house, Teddy awakes to find her father asleep beside her, a complete mess. She promptly wakes him up. Meanwhile, the woman from whom Agatha bought her bathing suit also tells the police she has seen the woman from the newspapers. Lippincott gets in touch with the librarian, who verifies her story. He decides to go to Harrogate himself.

Looking back from the present, Nan reflects on her days at the Timeless Manor and the false memories she developed. She thinks about a dream she sometimes has about all of her loved ones being alive and happy together. In Harrogate, Nan confesses her story to the group about why she took justice into her own hands. Finbarr urges Agatha to tell Nan Teddy is not her daughter, but Agatha declines. Finbarr claims that for days she has said Teddy is hers and is only now changing her story. At night, Nan and Finbarr say goodbye.

Nan leaves early in the morning and goes back to the hotel. Chilton and Agatha wake up and talk about what Chilton will do about Nan. They talk about running away together. They go back to the hotel and are upstairs packing as Archie and Lippincott arrive. Mrs. Leech argues with the men about Agatha’s presence. Agatha and Chilton come downstairs, oblivious until they meet Lippincott. Archie listens to their brief exchange, then comes to see Agatha for himself. Agatha speaks to him loudly so that Nan will overhear and stay hidden. Archie and Agatha reunite, although Agatha claims she cannot remember where she has been.

Nan packs her suitcase, leaving it with Miss Armstrong until she returns—which she never does. She waits until Archie and Agatha are out of sight then runs downstairs and quickly drives away in Chilton’s car. Chilton speaks with Mrs. Leech, urging her to lie about Agatha’s actions over the week. Mrs. Leech refuses, and Chilton alludes to his findings about the Marstons’ murders. He also tells Mrs. Leech that her deception would be a great help to Nan and Finbarr, and finally Mrs. Leech agrees. Archie and Agatha emerge, dodging Chilton’s attempts to speak with Agatha in private. They pack, and Agatha leaves Chilton a note before she and Archie drive home. Chilton goes to Agatha’s room and finds the note; it only says to take care of her typewriter and writing.

Nan reflects on her journey through loving Ireland, Finbarr, and her daughter. Chilton goes to the Timeless Manor to collect Agatha’s things and tells Finbarr that Nan has left.

Agatha leaves Archie, and Archie and Nan are married. Nan gets to know Teddy and spends time with her as she grows, even attending her eventual wedding beside Agatha. Finbarr returns to Ireland and marries another woman before eventually dying from cancer. Nan goes on to imagine the sort of ending for Agatha she would like: a happily ever after with Chilton and Teddy.