Chapter 26 — “Twenty-three”: Summary, Analysis, and Key Themes

⚠️ 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

In August, Adelaide brings Rory a potted daisy from Columbia Road, a scraggly plant she feels needs a home. Rory accepts it, noting that daisies were Nathalie's favorite, and places it on his windowsill. They sit together and talk about how quickly the summer is passing, and Adelaide suggests planning another trip—perhaps to the Jurassic Coast, Paris, or joining her for Eloise's weddings. Rory responds vaguely with “maybe.” When Adelaide presses him to look at places to stay in the Marais, Rory opens his laptop. The screen reveals multiple tabs: Nathalie's obituary, personal websites, fundraising pages, and a long thread of text messages where the name “Nat” or “Nathalie” appears repeatedly. Adelaide sees a message that reads, “You just have to focus on the good. Nathalie would—” before Rory closes the tabs. The moment shatters Adelaide's composure.

She stands and tells him they can't do this anymore. Rory is confused, and Adelaide confesses that she feels like she's aiming at a moving target, that she thinks he needs a friend, and that she doesn't even know how to camp. Rory is frustrated, and Adelaide's pent-up emotions spill out. She reveals that she has barely slept in months, that she was passed over for a promotion at work, that she's stressed about Eloise's upcoming wedding, and that she's still grieving the miscarriage she suffered earlier. She admits she feels like she's living in Nathalie's shadow and that she doesn't know how to make Rory love her. She also references a painful high school relationship, but Rory cuts her off, saying he doesn't need to hear it. Adelaide accuses him of refusing to introduce her to his family, ignoring her for days, and making her feel unlovable.

Rory defends himself, saying he's carrying his own weight—he lost his parents as a child, has chronic stomach issues, and is grieving Nathalie. He says he won't say “I love you” unless he truly means it, because he's careful and prudent. Adelaide says she doesn't want him to lie, but she wants it to be true. They agree to take a few days apart. Adelaide hugs him good night, hating herself for breaking down, and leaves.

The next day, Adelaide tells Madison and Celeste about the argument. She apologizes for always talking about her desperate desire for a boy to love her. Celeste reassures her, and Madison is quiet. Then Madison announces that she is moving to Bangkok with Anurak in September for a year. Adelaide reacts with forced enthusiasm, but privately she feels devastated—her life raft is floating away.

A few days later, Adelaide texts Rory and they meet for dinner at Padella. They gloss over the argument, and Adelaide tells him about Madison's move. Rory asks where that leaves Adelaide, and she says she's going to look for her own flat. She has viewings lined up in Highgate, Bermondsey, and Bloomsbury. As they walk along the river, Adelaide apologizes for the other night, explaining that Nathalie's death broke something inside her, and that she fears the comparisons Rory must be making. Rory hugs her and says she's kind, but they don't discuss it further.

Back at Adelaide's apartment, Rory notices she has very few books. Adelaide explains she gave most away when she moved and reads on her phone. She tells him about her dream of having a home with huge bookshelves and annotated copies of her high school English books, but she gave those away too. Privately, she reflects that her high school memories are fragmented—some are clear and joyful, but many are tainted by painful experiences she has tried to block out. She doesn't share this with Rory.

Key Events

Adelaide brings Rory a potted daisy, which he places on his windowsill, noting daisies were Nathalie's favorite.
Rory's laptop reveals tabs and messages referencing Nathalie, triggering Adelaide's emotional breakdown.
Adelaide confesses she feels unlovable and that she's been living in Nathalie's shadow.
Rory defends himself, saying he won't say “I love you” unless he means it.
They agree to take a few days apart; Adelaide leaves feeling guilty and broken.
Adelaide tells Madison and Celeste about the argument; Madison announces she's moving to Bangkok with Anurak in September.
Adelaide reacts positively but privately feels devastated.
Adelaide and Rory reconcile over dinner; Adelaide apologizes and explains her grief over Nathalie's death.
Adelaide begins flat-hunting for her own place.
Rory questions Adelaide's lack of books; Adelaide explains she gave most away and privately reflects on painful high school memories.

Character Development

Adelaide reaches a breaking point in this chapter. Her carefully maintained facade of cheerfulness and support crumbles when she sees Nathalie's name all over Rory's laptop. She finally voices the insecurity she has been carrying: she feels unlovable, overshadowed by a dead woman, and exhausted by the effort of trying to earn Rory's love. Her confession is raw and unfiltered, revealing the depth of her grief—not only for Nathalie, but for her own lost pregnancy, her missed promotion, and her fragmented past. She also shows a pattern of self-sacrifice and avoidance: she apologizes to Rory even when she's hurt, she forces herself to celebrate Madison's news while feeling abandoned, and she hides her painful high school memories from Rory. Her decision to look for her own flat marks a tentative step toward independence, though she still seeks Rory's approval.

Rory is defensive and guarded. He is grieving Nathalie and feels burdened by his own losses, but he is unwilling or unable to offer Adelaide the emotional reassurance she craves. His refusal to say “I love you” unless he truly means it is presented as a matter of principle, but it also highlights his emotional distance. He dismisses Adelaide's confession about her past, telling her he doesn't need to hear it, and he avoids rehashing their argument after they reconcile. His question about Adelaide's books reveals a superficial curiosity about her life, but he doesn't push deeper.

Madison emerges as a source of stability for Adelaide, but her announcement of moving to Bangkok underscores Adelaide's fear of abandonment. Madison's news is delivered with hesitation, and Adelaide's forced enthusiasm reveals her inability to process change without feeling threatened.

Celeste offers quiet support, reminding Adelaide that their friendship is about more than Adelaide's romantic troubles.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Grief and Insecurity: Adelaide's grief over Nathalie is intertwined with her insecurity about her own worth. She compares herself to Nathalie constantly, feeling she can never measure up.
The Daisy: The daisy Adelaide brings is a symbol of her attempt to connect with Rory, but it also becomes a reminder of Nathalie, as daisies were Nathalie's favorite. It represents Adelaide's desire to be loved and her fear of being a poor substitute.
The Laptop Screen: The tabs and messages on Rory's laptop symbolize the inescapable presence of Nathalie in their relationship. The screen “shouting” Nathalie's name mirrors Adelaide's feeling of being overshadowed.
Books and Identity: Adelaide's lack of books and her discarded annotated copies represent her fragmented sense of self. She gave away the books that held her high school memories, just as she tries to block out painful parts of her past. The dream of a bookshelf-filled home symbolizes a desire for stability and wholeness that she hasn't achieved.
Avoidance and Denial: Both Adelaide and Rory avoid confronting their deeper issues. They “glaze over” their argument, and Adelaide hides her true feelings about Madison's move.
Loss of Stability: Madison's departure, Adelaide's flat-hunting, and the impending wedding all contribute to a sense of transition and instability.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a pivotal moment in Adelaide's emotional arc. It is the first time she fully articulates her feelings of unlovability and her grief over Nathalie, breaking the pattern of silent suffering she has maintained throughout the novel. The argument with Rory forces both characters to confront the limits of their relationship, even if they quickly paper over the cracks. Adelaide's decision to look for her own flat signals a shift toward independence, though it is motivated more by necessity than by a genuine desire for change. The chapter also deepens the theme of friendship and loss through Madison's announcement, which adds to Adelaide's sense of abandonment. Finally, the revelation about Adelaide's discarded books and fragmented memories provides crucial insight into her character, explaining why she struggles to trust and why she clings to Rory despite his emotional unavailability.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Adelaide's emotional breakdown occur specifically when she sees Rory's laptop screen?

Adelaide's breakdown is triggered by the visual evidence of Nathalie's continued presence in Rory's life. The tabs and messages make her feel like an outsider in her own relationship, reinforcing her belief that she can never compete with a memory. The laptop screen acts as a concrete symbol of the comparison she has been dreading, and it shatters her ability to maintain her composed facade.

How does Adelaide's reaction to Madison's news reveal her emotional state?

Adelaide's forced enthusiasm and her internal feeling of drowning show that she is unable to process change without fear. Madison's move represents another loss of stability, and Adelaide's inability to express genuine sadness or anger suggests she is suppressing her emotions to avoid burdening others. Her reaction also highlights her tendency to prioritize others' happiness over her own needs.

What does Adelaide's explanation about her books reveal about her character?

Adelaide's explanation that she gave away her annotated high school books because she moved multiple times is only partially true. Privately, she admits that many of her high school memories are painful and fragmented, and she discarded the books as an act of self-preservation. This reveals that Adelaide has experienced trauma that she has not fully processed, and that she uses avoidance as a coping mechanism. It also explains why she struggles to form deep connections—she is afraid of being hurt again.