The It Girl

Hannah recalls seeing April’s parents at the police station a few weeks after April’s murder and wonders how April’s death impacted their lives.

Will and Hannah apologize to each other, and she respects his wishes not to hear about Hannah and Hugh’s discussion regarding April. Hannah receives an email from Geraint, who wants to introduce Hannah to November Rain, April’s younger sister, who has information about April’s autopsy results. Hannah agrees, and when the three meet, Hannah nearly passes out upon seeing November, thinking she’s April.

Geraint introduces November, noting Hannah’s distress. November confirms that April was pregnant at the time of her murder, but the police couldn’t confirm or deny a potential father. Police found dextroamphetamine (a drug used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy that April apparently used to focus and stay awake) in her system at the time of her death.

Comparing notes, the trio discusses how strangulation is typically a crime of passion. They believe that a potential suspect could have been the father of April’s baby—someone whose reputation or career might have been at stake. Remembering that Dr. Myers’s room was across the corridor from her and April’s suite, Hannah faints, realizing that it’s entirely possible that April and Dr. Myers had engaged in a secret affair and that he could have killed April after Neville left the suite.

November and Geraint insist on Hannah receiving medical treatment. November waits with Hannah at the obstetrician’s office while she undergoes tests and tries to contact Will. Alone in an observation room, Hannah and November agree that Dr. Myers might have been April’s killer, and they wonder if the police interviewed him. Hannah’s doctor prescribes blood pressure medication, and Hannah feels as though she’s losing control of her life, similar to how she felt after April died.

November gives Hannah a ride home, and Hannah shares her plan to visit Emily at Oxford. November asks to accompany Hannah, confessing that she wants to see where April lived and died and perhaps speak with Dr. Myers. Hannah is comforted by November’s presence because it reminds her of April.

Hannah shares her travel plans with Will, who urges her not to go. As they argue, he confesses that he can’t understand why she wants to investigate April’s murder. He begs her to stay but, knowing he can’t control Hannah’s actions, asks her to be careful.

The train ride through Scotland jogs Hannah’s memories of Will and their first few dates. Hannah remembers feeling happy for the first time after April died when she and Will traveled to the countryside for an intimate picnic. Arriving in Oxford, Hannah realizes that a man offers to help her with her bag because she’s now visibly pregnant, which excites and unnerves her.

November upgrades Hannah’s room to a suite, and November’s appearance and mannerisms resemble April’s so much that Hannah feels repeatedly startled. The women share similar feelings about the trip and find comfort in knowing that April’s death has significantly impacted their identities.

November and Hannah meet with Emily at Oxford, and Emily asks about their renewed interest in April’s case. Emily and Hannah argue briefly, pointing to each other’s motives for killing Hannah. Emily asserts that Hannah and Will developed feelings for each other in the weeks leading up to April’s murder, giving Hannah motive. Hannah mentions April’s final prank on Emily, which was particularly harsh, and then changes the subject to April’s pregnancy and their theory about Dr. Myers being the father.

Hannah and Emily arrive at Pelham for a scheduled tour with Dr. Myers. Hannah notes that nothing about Pelham’s campus has changed, further enhancing the feeling of déjà vu. The sight of the Porter’s Lodge makes Hannah feel afraid and anxious. Dr. Myers recognizes Hannah immediately, opting to call her by “Jones” instead of her married name. He comments on November’s resemblance to April.

Approaching Hannah and April’s dormitory, Dr. Myers carefully invites November to see April’s bedroom. Hannah observes Dr. Myers as they enter the suite, noting that she can’t sense any remorse or guilt on his part. Hannah and November ask for some time alone in the rooms, and Hannah shares memories of April with November, including the prank she played on Hannah by pretending to fall out of the window. Hannah recalls how April was unable to climb back into their room after the stunt and instead used the rusty drainpipe to lower herself to the ground. Hannah peers into her old bedroom, remembering herself as an ambitious student, and says goodbye to that version of herself.

Later, Hannah and November reveal to Emily that Dr. Myers wasn’t on campus the night of April’s murder and had a solid alibi. Hannah still feels like her investigation is incomplete, though she won’t share why with November, Emily, or Will—much to Will’s irritation. He and Hannah argue over the phone, and she again accuses him of not caring about April.

Returning to their hotel, Hannah confesses to November that seeing the drainpipe in her old suite made her realize that the murderer could have left through the window. Both women consider Emily’s alibi the weakest and agree that she had a clear motive to kill April. However, they can’t rule out Ryan.

Hannah debates telling the police about her suspicions because it could incite an investigation into two of her closest friends (Emily and Ryan). In addition, she worries about the repercussions Will might face given that April was pregnant at the time of her death and Will was her boyfriend. Hannah feels fortunate that Will has an alibi. Hannah realizes that he cares deeply for April and that his reluctance toward Hannah’s investigation stems from his concern as a protective husband and father. However, Hannah refuses to allow guilt and fear to dictate her life. She feels compelled to uncover the truth.