Fresh Water for Flowers

Philippe meets with the final name on his list. She recounts the same events as he has heard before, except that she saw Philippe’s parents outside the night of the fire. Philippe makes the woman promise to never tell anyone they met, and then he goes to confront his parents. He lets himself into his childhood home and asks them why they were there. His parents admit that they went to check on Léonine. While there, they tried to help by restoring the hot water. Philippe leaves in a rage, unable to face going home again.

The final entries of Irène’s journal detail her meeting with Violette some years ago. Together they read the record for Gabriel’s funeral. Violette considers letters she wants to write to Julien, asking him to come back. Then she visits with Célia and tells her about Philippe and Françoise. Françoise told Violette the truth about why Philippe never came home, and how his father accidentally murdered the girls. Violette also tells Célia about Julien.

Philippe remembers his days after coming to live with Françoise, first as a relative and later as a husband. He buries his past and begins a new life. After 19 years, he receives the letter from Violette’s solicitor and feels his fragile existence crumbling.