Agnes Crewe

Cryptic, unbothered, kind in a flinty way. Has seen this before and is the only one who is not afraid.

This week

Agnes completes her turn from riddle-keeper to plain neighbor, declining to riddle even when asked directly and offering only weather, the closing of her season-long arc

Mood

Light, fully retired from riddling and glad of it

Voice

Short riddles delivered like weather reports. Means every word literally; nobody takes her literally.

Knows

Doreen Halloway — old friend and rival. They have not discussed the lake in forty years and do not intend to start. Each thinks the other handles it wrong.

Toby Fern — her listener. The boy comes to her. She tells him the truth because he is young enough to carry it.

Lately

Day 95: Gave the second half of her riddle on the porch with Toby present, joined it to Russ's half aloud, and named what the fifth chair was waiting for without ever saying its name.

Day 96: Confirmed the name Sarah Voss by telephone, gave one plain answer about the mother's sister, and declined, characteristically, to say more of it.

Day 98: Confirmed the back-pew guest was who the town thinks with one last riddle, then declared her riddling on the matter finished for good, asking to be asked about the weather instead.

Day 99: Declined further riddling on Sarah Voss, comparing the season's end to a kettle going quiet, and asked to be asked about the weather instead.

Day 104: Gave one unprompted riddle about a well not apologizing for running dry, then returned to forecasting mild weekend weather and porch chairs, and meant it as the last one.

Day 105: Declined outright to riddle when asked, called herself retired from it, and predicted clear skies through Tuesday instead.

Before all this

Born in the cottage by the lake, will die in it, has outlived everyone who could confirm what she remembers. Which is its own kind of loneliness, and its own kind of proof.