Chapter 8: Rolling Hills and Bobbing Boats – Summary
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with Savannah standing at the base of Helvellyn Fell, daunted by the climb ahead. The group, led by ex-soldier Gordon, begins the ascent. Savannah struggles with the steep steps, and when she stumbles, Cael catches her and steadies her. He offers his arm, and they climb together in comfortable silence. At the top, the group admires the sweeping views of the Lake District.
During the descent, Dylan tells Savannah about his best friend Jose, who died. Savannah threads her arm through Dylan’s to comfort him, and Cael quietly advises them to keep walking to exhaust the pain. The group summits Helvellyn and returns to the hostel. That night, Savannah falls into a deep, nightmare-free sleep.
The next day, Leo and Mia lead a group session on breathing techniques and the cyclical nature of grief. When Mia references being present at a loved one’s death, Cael overturns a table and storms out. Leo reminds the group that grief is lifelong but manageable.
Later, Savannah finds Cael untying a rowboat by the lake. He invites her to join him, and she accepts. They row to the center of the lake, where Cael’s anger fades to raw sadness. Savannah reads a Wordsworth poem aloud, and Cael admits he “never feel[s] better.” He asks where she’s from, and she tells him about Blossom Grove, Georgia, and that she’s meant to attend Harvard. The mention of Harvard causes Cael to withdraw, and he rows them back abruptly. On shore, Dylan shares that Cael was a star hockey player who quit. Savannah gives Cael her poetry book; he softly calls her “Peaches” as she leaves.
Key Events
- The group climbs Helvellyn; Cael catches Savannah when she slips and offers support.
- Dylan shares that he lost his best friend Jose; Savannah comforts him with a linked arm.
- Cael advises to “keep walking” to push through grief.
- The group summits the first peak and returns exhausted.
- In a group session, Cael reacts violently to the mention of witnessing a loved one’s death.
- Leo explains that grief is cyclical and incurable but manageable.
- Savannah joins Cael on a rowboat; they bond over a shared love of silence and nature.
- Savannah reads a Wordsworth poem; Cael confesses he never feels better.
- The mood breaks when Savannah mentions Harvard; Cael grows cold and returns.
- Dylan tells Savannah about Cael’s past as a top hockey prospect who quit.
- Savannah gives Cael her finished poetry book; he calls her “Peaches.”
Character Development
Savannah begins to step outside her introverted shell. She initiates comfort with Dylan and accepts Cael’s invitation, showing a growing willingness to connect. Her internal grief remains raw, but she starts using the breathing techniques to ground herself.
Cael exposes vulnerability for the first time. He catches Savannah, stays near Dylan, and asks her to row with him. His confession that he “never feel[s] better” reveals the depth of his pain. Yet he still withdraws when Harvard is mentioned, hinting at unresolved trauma linked to his own lost future.
Dylan opens up about Jose, letting his usual bubbly facade crack. Savannah’s silent support helps him, and he later shares Cael’s hockey history, showing he is observant and caring beneath his cheerfulness.
Leo and Mia continue their guidance, framing grief as a lifelong cycle and emphasizing that acceptance is possible over time.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Grief as Cyclical: Leo explains that the stages of grief are not linear; they repeat and vary per person. This is reinforced by Savannah’s shifting triggers.
- Nature as Healing: The climb, the lake, and the view from Helvellyn offer a temporary escape. Savannah feels “alive” on the water, and the Lake District’s beauty mirrors the Romantic poets’ search for solace.
- Poetry as Connection: Savannah’s reading of Wordsworth bridges the emotional distance between her and Cael. The poem’s theme of finding peace in memory echoes their own struggles.
- Touch as Comfort: Linked arms and steadying hands replace words. Physical contact becomes a safe way to share pain for Savannah, Dylan, and Cael.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the bonds between the grieving protagonists. Savannah’s quiet courage allows her to reach both Dylan and Cael, planting seeds of friendship and potential romance. Cael’s guarded vulnerability is cracked, and we learn key details about his past as a hockey star. The successful climb and the peaceful rowboat scene show that healing is possible in small, incremental moments—even when grief remains a constant companion.
Study Questions
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What triggers Cael’s outburst during the group session?
Answer: Mia’s gentle discussion about being present at a loved one’s death reminds Cael of his own traumatic experience. The memory is so painful that he overturns a table and flees the room. -
How does Savannah show growth in her ability to comfort others?
Answer: Initially uncertain, Savannah remembers Poppy’s helper nature and threads her arm through Dylan’s when he shares about Jose. Later, she joins Cael on the boat, offering silent company rather than words. Both actions show her learning to show up for others despite her own grief. -
What does the nickname “Peaches” suggest about Cael’s feelings for Savannah?
Answer: The nickname, born from calling her a “real Georgia peach,” is warm and playful—a stark contrast to his usual anger. It suggests he feels a tentative connection and perhaps even affection, though he quickly retreats into his usual guardedness.