The next day, Elsie’s street is a media circus. She’s on the phone with a law firm, refusing an in-person meeting, while Daphne sits beside her. Earlier, she had called the police, where a call-taker confirmed that Ishaan’s death was an open investigation but said that detectives hadn’t spoken to the media—suggesting that a neighbor was the source of the newspaper article. Realizing that it must have been Joan, Elsie impulsively said she would kill her; Daphne ended the call and urged her to seek legal counsel.

After being connected to Senior Partner Linda Raiti, Elsie reads the headline that she believes is defamatory. Linda asks about the accuracy of each claim. Elsie confirms that she was questioned and that Ishaan was her nemesis, but she insists that she’s 81, not 82. Linda advises that a defamation suit would be difficult because the story is in the public domain and most of the headline is accurate. She warns that such a fight would likely outlive Elsie. Overcome, Elsie cries silently as Daphne comforts her. Linda waives the consultation fee. After the call, Daphne asks if they’re in trouble, and Elsie confirms that they are.

Elsie decides to be interviewed by Adeem and Libby. She reflects that the YouTubers’ youth makes them seem more earnest than the other media professionals who contacted her. Libby asks why Elsie has chosen to speak publicly for the first time. Elsie says that she hopes that feeding the media will make it leave her in peace. When asked why she chose them, Elsie jokes that she thought they would be easier to manipulate. She confirms that her face will be blurred and that her location will be kept secret.

Libby records her introduction and summarizes the case of Mabel Waller, convicted of murder in 1959 at age 15 and known worldwide as “Mad Mabel.” She announces that, for the first time at 81, Mabel is speaking publicly.

Two days after her mother’s death, Mabel’s father visited her in the hospital. He informed her that her mother had died, as if she didn’t already know. He accused her of not being upset enough and questioned what she and her mother discussed before her mother jumped—even asking whether she really jumped. Mabel revealed that they were talking about Susan McGinty, which visibly shocked him.

He announced that the funeral would be Thursday, a day when Mabel would be unable to attend. He was leaving for London, and she would be in her aunt’s care. As he prepared to go, Mabel asked who unlocked the porch door the day Kitty came outside. He smiled slightly, ignored the question, and walked out.

Enraged and abandoned, Mabel threw her copy of Anne of Green Gables against the wall. A girl in a hospital gown and pink cardigan appeared in the doorway and introduced herself as Daphne Barton from kindergarten. She had, she said, returned from England for tuberculosis treatment and would be boarding at St. Mary’s, Mabel’s school. She proposed that they become friends, listing her qualifications: extreme loyalty and an ability to talk her way out of anything. Overwhelmed, Mabel agreed, and they sealed their friendship with a pinkie swear. Daphne stayed all afternoon, talking incessantly, and that night, Mabel felt that she had found her bosom friend, and the world seemed less bleak.

Five days after Mabel’s mother’s death, a nurse mistakenly announced that Mabel’s mother had arrived. Mabel experienced a painful flicker of hope before seeing that it was Aunt Cess, dressed entirely in black. Cess gave Mabel a Mass booklet from the funeral. On the drive home, she confirmed that Mabel’s father had left for London.

At Rosehill, Mabel hesitated on the porch, unable to enter without her mother. Cess waited patiently for nearly an hour. When Ness arrived, she gathered them into a hug, and Cess let out a raw gasp that allowed Mabel to finally cry for her mother.

In the following days, Ness’s presence helped them cope. Mabel and Cess bonded over their shared hatred of Mabel’s father. One morning, Cess ranted about how he drove Mary to drink, and Mabel revealed that he hated her because of Kitty. Cess dismissed any notion that three-year-old Mabel was responsible for Kitty’s death and called Mabel “darling” for the first time, explaining that her father’s animosity stemmed from insecurity—Mabel’s intelligence and strong personality had always outshone him. The conversation brought Mabel relief and self-forgiveness.

After overhearing men speculate offensively about why Cess and Ness never married, Mabel asked them about it. Cess stated that no man was wonderful enough and that marriage is an institution designed to benefit men. Ness added that love can be found in many places and that Mabel could eventually marry or not as she chose. The conversation gave Mabel a sense of warmth and belonging.

Later, Daphne arrived on her bicycle in the rain and insisted that Mabel ride on the handlebars despite her broken arm. They immediately crashed, collapsing in laughter. After two more failed attempts, Daphne conceded that she wasn’t strong enough. On the porch, Daphne revealed that she had started at St. Mary’s and found the other students unpleasant, reassuring Mabel that the visit wasn’t motivated by pity.

Continuing the interview, Elsie addresses public theories about her past. She refutes rumors about Kitty’s death, confirms that the official cause was polio, and dismisses the theory that she pushed her mother from the balcony. When asked what the public has gotten right, Elsie concedes that the reports about the murder she was convicted of were fairly accurate—if anything, they underplayed the viciousness of the attack.

Libby shifts to Daphne, about whom public opinion has been harsh. Elsie becomes emotional, saying that Daphne wasn’t a bad influence but the one person who stood beside her, gave everything, and asked for nothing—she was the person who saved her.

During a break in which he takes a phone call from his wife, Adeem remarks that he never knew one could be so terrified of the person they love. Elsie replies that for her, love has always been synonymous with terror.

Agitated thumping on the door interrupts the interview. Persephone pulls Elsie into the laneway and demonstrates that she has learned to spin a Hula-Hoop around her neck, having practiced all day to show her. Peter, Roxanne, and Joan watch from their porches.

A group of young people gathers at the end of the lane, one holding a sign reading, “Murder Mabel.” A man points at Elsie, shouts that it’s her, and advances quickly. Peter steps forward, but the man stops and raises his arm. Persephone cries for him to stop. In a blur, Elsie shields Persephone. There’s a loud pop, and Elsie is suddenly covered in blood. She falls, and her last conscious thought is about the child’s safety.

Mabel and Daphne were in Mabel’s bedroom when Cess and Ness entered, wanting to meet Daphne properly. Mabel felt anxiety over the class difference between Daphne’s family and her own, but Daphne broke the tension by comparing Cess to Marilyn Monroe and Ness to Audrey Hepburn. After Cess and Ness left, Daphne predicted that she and Mabel would be lifelong friends.

Mabel returned to St. Mary’s a week early to be with Daphne, who waited at the gates with a new nickname for Mabel: “Maybelline.” The affectionate name contrasted sharply with “Mad Mabel.” After history class, her teacher Mr. Loukas—a young lay teacher—offered sincere condolences and shared that he also lost his mother young. He told her that he was there for her, night or day. That night, Mabel fantasized about marrying him.

After school, Mabel and Daphne spotted a beach bonfire surrounded by their classmates, including Billy Harris and a new Greek boy named Christos. Christos broke the silence by calling Mabel “Beanstalk”; after the group laughed, Mabel delivered a sharp retort that earned their approval.

During “Truth or Dare,” Billy was dared to kiss Mabel and shoved his tongue in her mouth. She shoved him away. He was insulted and called her names. As Mabel and Daphne walked away, Billy followed and taunted her about Kitty, using a phrase that Mabel recognized as her father’s. She suddenly realized that her father had spread the story that she killed her sister—the source of the “Mad Mabel” nickname and her lifelong friendlessness. A primal rage built inside her. Recalling this moment now, Elsie reflects that this was the moment she truly became “Mad Mabel.”

Elsie lies on the cobblestones, hearing Roxanne screaming and Peter calling for an ambulance. Her eyes are full of blood. Elsie’s first concern is for Persephone, who confirms that she’s unhurt. Adeem explains that it was a water pistol filled with a blood-like substance. Elsie tries to cancel the ambulance, but Roxanne insists that she go for her fall and broken wrist. Peter accompanies her, and the Nguyens offer to look after Nugget. Before the ambulance doors close, Elsie sees Joan on her porch, looking downcast and ashamed.

At the hospital, an X-ray confirms a clean break in Elsie’s wrist. Daphne appears in the hallway, furious about the attack. When the hospital decides to keep Elsie overnight, she protests but is secretly relieved—she’s shaken and keeps thinking about what could have happened to Persephone.

Peter insists on staying despite Elsie’s protests. Persephone visits after being cleared of injuries. She thanks Elsie for saving her life and insists on being the first to sign the cast. After they leave, Elsie suspects that Roxanne’s unusual haste to go involves more than just their flatulent roommate.

Peter picks Elsie up from the hospital. They arrive to find Kenny Lane blocked off by the police, prompted by calls from both Peter and Joan’s lawyer nephew. Elsie is surprised that Joan helped. Peter says that Joan isn’t so bad; Elsie teasingly suggests a romance between them. He walks Elsie to her door and offers to come inside, but she declines, wanting time alone before Daphne visits.

Alone in her house, Elsie finally weeps. A knock brings Roxanne, who delivers daisies from Mrs. Nguyen before nervously asking if Elsie is “Mad Mabel.” Elsie confirms that her birth name is Mabel Waller and that the stories are about her. Roxanne is distraught because her daughter has been spending time with a convicted murderer, and she says that Persephone can no longer visit. Heartbroken but resigned, Elsie says she understands.

After Billy’s taunts at the bonfire, Mabel ran down the beach until she was exhausted. She encountered Mr. Loukas walking his dog. Seeing that she was upset, he invited her to sit and encouraged her to talk. Mabel confessed everything: her mother’s death, the name “Mad Mabel,” the truth about Kitty, and her father’s accusation. She feared that everyone thought she was a monster. As Mabel left, Mr. Loukas said that not everyone thought she was a monster—his dog, for instance, thought she was amazing. Mabel felt a surge of joy at being called “amazing” for the first time.

Late that night, Billy had still not returned home. Mr. and Mrs. Harris began knocking on doors, starting with the Wallers’ since Billy was last seen with Mabel. Cess brought Mrs. Harris to Mabel’s room. Mabel confirmed that she was with Billy at the bonfire and explained that he was following and taunting her as she tried to get away. She mentioned seeing Mr. Loukas right after she left the beach, offering him as a witness. A police car arrived, and an officer spoke to Mr. Harris, who turned to his wife—stunned—and told her that they had found Billy.

Persephone whispers through Elsie’s bedroom window and asks why the protesters sprayed Elsie with blood. Elsie explains that people sometimes form judgments without knowing a person.

Persephone quietly reveals that her mother has forbidden her from bothering Elsie and says that she thought Elsie might be lonely since she’s lonely, too. Elsie is profoundly moved. Persephone announces that she made a new friend at school—a girl named Delly—but complains that Roxanne won’t let her have anyone over. Persephone takes Elsie’s hand.

Roxanne calls for Persephone, and they quickly drop hands. As she leaves, Persephone tells Elsie that she liked it when Elsie called her “darling.” Elsie replies that if Persephone keeps calling her “Elsie” instead of “Elsa,” she might do it again.