Anyone read and want to talk about Mrs England? (With spoilers).

[Duchessofmuchness]

Just finished the audio book and really enjoyed it. The ending totally threw me! Why did Mrs E delay giving Ruby Elsie's letters? What do you think it means? Just an honest mistake (which Ruby seems to accept) or does it mean that she withheld the original letters, not mr England? Was she in some way trying to control Ruby and Mr E?

On balance I don't think it's deliberate - it's only a few days and what does she gain since she ultimately gives them to her anyway? But it's a curious ending

Yes I thought that was weird too, as if she couldn't trust her after all!

I enjoyed it. I may be wrong, but I'm sure it was intimated (maybe in a conversation between Ruby and Mr England?) that he withheld them and planted them in Mrs England's room.

Sorry - just read your post again. Am I forgetting another instance of letter skulduggery?

Yes you are right - early in book Ruby's letters are hidden in Mrs England's dresser. When they are found Mr England says was by Mrs England. But later she says was not ... seemed like was all part of his plan to turn Ruby against her.

The final paragraphs of book is Ruby on the train and reading the note written by Mrs E in her testimonial book that said "thank you for bringing us back to life". She then thinks back to Mrs England saying goodbye and handing Ruby a letter from Elsie that she had "forgotten " to give her from 3 days before. They both smile as though it's not an issue. But why is it the last line of book? What is designed to show or make us think?

Bumping this as I just finished the book and am confused!
Is it meant to flip everything on its head and it was Mrs England manipulating everything the whole way through. Or a nod to an innocent mistake which is like an inside joke now