The Hypnotist's Love Story

As Patrick wakes her up in the morning, Ellen thinks about her previous boyfriends and doesn’t like the idea of Jon kissing anyone else. She thinks of Patrick kissing Saskia and wonders, “Was Ellen responsible for another woman’s pain?” (92). Ellen has never done anything outlandish because of passion. Patrick is angry when Ellen mentions Saskia.

Saskia walks through Ellen’s garden, then down to the beach. She tells herself to let go of Patrick. She dives into the water and feels happy. She thinks she might go to a work party that night and stop by to see Patrick’s mom, to show that she’s moved on.

Maureen Scott, Patrick’s mother, strikes Ellen as soft and formless, much less elegant than Ellen’s mother, Anne. His father, George, looks just like Patrick. His brother, Samuel, is young and amusing. Ellen is touched by how Patrick praises her to his parents.

Jack answers a knock on the door, and when Patrick recognizes the woman’s voice, he is furious. Ellen guesses it is Saskia and is curious to know what she looks like. In the kitchen she sees a photo of a young blonde woman holding a baby, and realizes this must be Colleen, Patrick’s first wife.