The Hypnotist's Love Story

Ellen meets Colleen’s parents, Frank and Millie, who are gracious and welcoming. Ellen is self-conscious, certain they must feel she is taking their daughter’s place. Ellen sees a picture of Colleen holding Jack and bursts into tears, embarrassing herself. She can feel the visit is a strain on everyone.

As they drive home, Ellen asks Patrick when he’s going to move those boxes. She reflects that she’s not this person, a person who nags. Patrick gets angry and drives away. When Ellen walks into the house, she finds a warm package of biscuits.

On an impulse, Saskia goes to Ellen’s house with the ingredients for biscuits. She lets herself into the house and bakes. She wonders how Ellen feels about the boxes cluttering up her calm house. Someone knocks on the door. At first Saskia fears the police, but the man looks wealthy and impatient. She answers the knock.

Ellen has lunch with her friends Julia and Madeleine. They have never quite gotten along, but this night Julia and Madeleine agree that Ellen should be concerned about the biscuits. Ellen reflects that the biscuits reminded her of her grandmother and it felt good to eat them.