Allerton and Nurse Craven

The apparent romance between Judith and Allerton conceals a separate affair, while Nurse Craven's presence helps Norton redirect Hastings's fear.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Allerton's Reputation

The Attractive Scoundrel A social performance Allerton charms the women and irritates Hastings, who sees him as a womanizer and moral opportunist. His marriage to a Catholic wife prevents divorce while leaving him free to pursue other women. Truth used as bait Much of Hastings's assessment is accurate, including Allerton's history of damaging an earlier lover. Norton later uses that truth to make a false conclusion about Judith feel certain.

A Nurse Resents Her Position

The Observer's Dislike Disparagement of Barbara Nurse Craven describes Barbara as manipulative and Franklin as a brilliant man trapped in an unsuitable marriage. She also objects to the demands placed on her as a nurse. A second romantic interest Nurse Craven is attractive, energetic, and alert to the men around her. Hastings notices her manner without realizing that her connection to Allerton will matter more than Judith's.

The Fortune-Telling Scene

A Jealous Reaction An unexpected discovery Hastings finds Boyd Carrington having his palm read by Nurse Craven. Barbara abruptly sends the nurse away to prepare an egg drink and hot-water bottle. A clue to shifting attention The scene suggests an attraction between Nurse Craven and the wealthy baronet. Poirot later identifies her as a possible romantic interest and understands why Barbara may have hurried her poisoning plan.

The London Arrangement

The Wrong Woman Assumed A planned meeting Allerton speaks of a secret dinner in London with a woman he expects to travel there. Hastings hears the words and assumes they concern Judith. The actual affair Poirot reveals that the woman is Nurse Craven, whose planned day off had been denied by Barbara. Norton's staging lets Hastings mistake a real affair for evidence that his daughter is in danger.

A False Love Triangle Dissolves

Desire Was Misread Hastings's error corrected Judith had no serious romantic attachment to Allerton; she was using his company as distraction while secretly loving Franklin. Allerton's interest lay elsewhere. A separate future Nurse Craven's affair with Allerton and her possible attraction to Boyd Carrington complicate the household without making her the central murderer. The revelation disentangles several relationships Hastings had collapsed into one.

At the first dinner after Hastings arrives

During Hastings's conversation with Nurse Craven

When Hastings carries Barbara's parcels to her room

The night Hastings overhears the summerhouse conversation

After Poirot's posthumous explanation