Mary Metcalf, Tom Crick’s wife, experienced a deeply traumatic event in her youth that shaped the rest of her life. After becoming pregnant during her relationship with Tom, she underwent a dangerous abortion, which left her unable to have children. Initially, Mary seemed content with not having children and focused on being a supportive partner. However, over time, her mental health began to decline. She developed delusions, believing that God wanted her to have a child, which led her to steal a baby. This act resulted in her arrest and caused Tom to lose his job. Ultimately, Mary was diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted to a mental institution.
Before becoming Tom’s wife, Mary was a curious and adventurous girl raised by her strict father, Farmer Metcalf. In 1943, something happened that left her feeling guilty, and she stayed hidden in the farmhouse for three years. She sought religious guidance during this time. Eventually, she became stronger and decided to marry Tom. After getting married, Tom and Mary moved to London and enjoyed a comfortable life at first. Mary worked in a local government office but stopped working when she reached middle age, possibly because of menopause. By the time she turned fifty, Mary’s behavior changed. She quit her job, started acting strangely, and often stayed out of the house. She confessed to speaking to a priest, something she hadn’t done in years. Mary also began reading unusual books and behaving in a way that worried Tom. One day, Mary shocked Tom by announcing that she was going to have a baby because God had told her so. Her mental health continued to decline, and she eventually committed a crime: she stole a baby and was arrested.
When Mary was young, her father sent her to a convent school to keep her away from farm work. She and Tom grew close by riding the train together every day for two years. They would meet in secret near an old windmill and explore their feelings and sexuality. Mary was a bold and adventurous girl. One day, she played a game with some boys. The rules of the games involve stripping of clothes. Mary, the more confident of the two girls challenges, the new rules. She argues for equality, suggesting that boys should also remove their clothes. She proposes a swimming test and the winner will get to see her body. Dick Crick wins the test. When the game ends and Freddie inserts an eel in Mary’s knickers she doesn’t get upset but bursts into laughter, showing her adventurous nature.
Dick was getting interested on Mary, who didn’t share the same. She playfully talked with him giving him hope. When Mary gets pregnant with Tom’s baby, she tells Dick that the baby belongs to Freddie Parr in order to save her lover Tom. in immense anger, the mentally handicapped Dick murders Freddie. Mary gets a painful and risky abortion. All these events gradually make a mark in her mind and years later, her mental condition deteriorate and out of insanity, she commits the crime.
