Episode 3 of Black Cake opens with a glimpse into Covey's past, still recuperating in the hospital's confines. The shock of Eleanor's revelation lingered, and the anticipation of a new life with a different identity filled her thoughts. Nurse Ethel sternly informed her that bed rest would be necessary for weeks, due to the deep gash on her right thigh from the accident. Its full recovery seemed uncertain, yet Covey knew she had to take the reins from this point onward.
Temporarily, Ethel offered Covey a respite in a guest house frequented by the nursing staff, considering her "one of their own" since the original Eleanor possessed a nurse training certificate. Once discharged, Covey's search for a job commenced, but rejection after rejection awaited her. She was deemed overqualified or not fitting into the "community's" mold. Her struggle to walk contrasted sharply with her former glory as Portland Parish's golden girl.
Flashbacks in this episode interwove Covey's and Gibbs' shared moments, leaving us to ponder if a reunion might be looming in the future episodes. For Covey, a respite seemed imminent. In these memories, we witnessed Covey approaching the school's "new boy," who merely stared during practice. It was confirmed that Bunny had a soft spot for Covey.
Finally, Covey secured a position as an assistant in the bookkeeping department of a trading company. Her boss was initially dismissive of her CV but showed leniency due to her accident. Despite Covey's optimism for a fresh start and a new life, her first day at work was draining. The other bookkeepers, particularly Beatrice, were cold and indifferent to her presence. She was burdened with cross-checking accounts and ledgers, often working late into the night.
In a flashback, Covey confided in Bunny about her "swimming date" with Gibbs. He was a gentleman, never laying a hand on her, affirming his genuine intentions. However, Bunny was displeased upon learning this, confessing her feelings for Covey and forcing her to warn her best friend never to mention it again. The Islands were unkind to those of Covey's sexual orientation, and that's precisely what she had to do in Glasgow: hide her true self by pretending to be someone else.
As Gibbs and Covey's bond strengthened, he revealed that his mother had also abandoned him as a child. His family lost nearly all their wealth due to his father's missteps, mirroring Lin's gambling downfall. At work, Covey noticed significant discrepancies in an account handled by Beatrice. When she alerted Beatrice, she dismissed her concerns and refused to recheck the accounts.
Later that evening, Covey approaches her boss with her recent discovery. He takes the files from her hands and vows to verify their authenticity. The following day at the office, he chastises Beatrice for her carelessness and extends an invitation to Covey for dinner at his home, accompanied by his wife. She, a woman of intrigue, expresses her keen interest in the accident and perhaps it was this curiosity that initially drew the boss to her. Nonetheless, the couple reveals their intention to host a fundraiser for the Caribbean community, to be held under Covey's name. She's reluctant to be thrust into the spotlight and gracefully declines the offer.
The next day after work, the boss informs Covey of the fundraiser's cancellation, citing suspicions about her true identity. His suspicions are founded; he had noted her lack of nursing training when she flinched upon seeing his bloodied wound. She weeps uncontrollably, and he takes her in his arms, pressing her against the table and violating her. The entire ordeal happens so swiftly, leaving Covey disoriented and unable to comprehend.
Afterward, she struggles to grapple with the experience. Beatrice notices her distress, and news of the incident spreads like wildfire. She follows Covey into the washroom and shares her own similar ordeal when she first joined. It transpires that their boss is a predator, targeting vulnerable women who are desperate and have nowhere else to turn.
After work, Covey seeks solace in the ocean's depths, still numb from the ordeal. Meanwhile, Lin is abandoned by Pearl after she finds him in the sea. As she prepares to leave him behind, Pearl reveals that the police have apprehended a man named Short Shirt as the prime suspect in Henry's murder. As she walks away, Pearl senses she's being trailed by the Henry brothers, who are shown to intercept her. The camera pans away, leaving a foreboding silence before revealing the unknown fate of Pearl.
Covey decides to return to London, the devil she knows, despite the increased risk of being caught. Months of anonymity come to an end when, during a casual stroll in public, she spots Gibbs protesting against systemic racism alongside his fellow university students. Their eyes meet across the crowd, and she recognizes him as he does her.
