The Authenticity Project

Emmeline Pankhurst was a famous suffragette, and Monica tries not to judge Riley for not knowing the name. At the café, Hazard shows Monica his flyers for his business: Aussie Gardeners. Monica gives him feedback on his business plan. Hazard asks Monica to accompany him to Rita and Daphne’s wedding. They play backgammon; if Monica loses, she will be Hazard’s date. Monica is good at backgammon, but Hazard wins.

Alice is struggling to take care of Bunty, who keeps her awake through the night. Alice wonders if “other mothers spend their whole time imagining the various ways in which they might accidentally kill their own babies” (249). Alice misses her old high-profile job. Bunty falls out of her highchair, frightening Alice. Lizzie, one of the volunteers at Mummy’s Little Helper, rings the doorbell to offer her help even though Alice has never asked for it.

Lizzie found the green notebook entitled “The Authenticity Project” at the center. Lizzie recognizes Julian’s name from her younger days out on the town, and she is familiar with Monica’s Café. As she reads Monica’s entry, she determines that modern women are too picky; if