Chapter 11: Baz’s Reaction to Simon’s Departure
⚠️ 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
Baz returns to London after the American trip, changes into decent clothes, and goes straight to Simon and Penelope’s flat. He plans to gauge whether Simon is sorry for ignoring his texts—if Simon is very sorry, Baz will let the silence slide; if only a little, Baz will punish him. But when he arrives, Penelope tells him Simon has left. She says they aren’t supposed to look for him.
Baz asks if Penelope has been bewitched. Shepard, standing in the kitchen, shakes his head uncomfortably. Baz questions why Shepard is still there—he thought the human would have left by now. Penelope hands Baz a yellow envelope containing a note from Simon that simply reads, “Baz, I’m sorry.” Baz holds it up, demanding to know what it means. Penelope won’t meet his eyes; she says Simon doesn’t want to see them. She looks haggard, as if she has been crying.
Baz insists that doesn’t make sense. Penelope explains Simon said he needs time. Baz scoffs, arguing that time isn’t something a person needs. He asks if Simon moved out. Penelope’s chin wobbles as she says she thinks Simon is lost. Baz accuses her of losing him, charging into Simon’s empty bedroom. All of Simon’s belongings are gone—his duffel bag, books, and T-shirts. Penelope follows, denying she lost him; Simon chose to leave. She insists Simon is an adult.
Baz retorts that Simon is a walking catastrophe and that the only way to keep him safe is never to let him out of sight. He orders Penelope to put on her shoes and help find Snow. She refuses, arms folded, crying. Baz asks why she isn’t making sense. Penelope explains that she will not chase Simon or make him come back—if he wants space, she will give it to him. Baz shouts that people need people, not space. Penelope yells back that “Simon needs me” was always her excuse for controlling him, and she was more like a commanding officer than a friend. Baz mutters that she kept Simon alive. Penelope counters that she barely kept him alive after goading him into danger. She says she promised Simon she wouldn’t go after him.
Baz pleads, but Penelope holds firm. She acknowledges that maybe it’s worse for Baz. Baz reflects on the last time he saw Simon: at Heathrow, Baz went off to get Fiona, and Simon offered to help but Baz said he didn’t need it. They kissed goodbye—Baz wasn’t sure where they stood, but it seemed fine. He said he’d text. Simon replied “See ya.” Nothing was different, nothing better or worse. Baz remembers Simon’s awful words on the beach in America, but also better moments in the desert and in Shepard’s truck. He can’t believe Simon would leave without telling him, after everything they are to each other.
Baz holds up the note: “I’m sorry.” He asks Penelope what he is supposed to do with that. She suggests the saying about setting someone free if you love them. Baz retorts that it isn’t a truth—it’s a spell his aunt used to free his shoelace from an escalator. He insists Simon needs them and tries to take her shoulder to go. She steps away, saying Simon needs her to let him make his own decisions.
Baz lets his hand fall. He nods. He looks at Penelope the way he used to when she was his worst enemy’s best friend. Then he says, “Fine then. Perhaps he just needs me.”
Key Events
- Baz returns to London and goes straight to Simon and Penelope’s flat.
- Penelope tells Baz that Simon has left, leaving only a note that says “I’m sorry.”
- Baz discovers Simon’s room is empty; all his possessions are gone.
- Penelope refuses to search for Simon, stating she promised to give him space.
- Baz and Penelope argue about whether Simon needs to be chased or left alone.
- Penelope admits she has been more of a commanding officer than a friend to Simon.
- Baz recalls his last moments with Simon at Heathrow and the emotional distance between them.
- Baz decides he will find Simon himself, suggesting he is the one Simon needs.
Character Development
- Basilton “Baz” Pitch: Baz’s fear of abandonment surfaces. His usual composure cracks as he shouts, pleads, and reveals his desperation. He moves from anger to vulnerability, ultimately choosing action over waiting. His remark about looking at Penelope “the way I used to” shows old enmity resurfacing under stress.
- Penelope Bunce: Penny undergoes a painful self-realization. She admits she controlled Simon under the guise of friendship and must now let him make his own decisions, even if it terrifies her. Her refusal to chase Simon is a deliberate break from her past behavior.
- Simon Snow (offstage): Simon’s decision to leave and his cryptic note define his growing need for autonomy. His absence drives the chapter’s conflict.
- Shepard (minor): Remains in the background, uncomfortable and still present, hinting that his stay may be longer than expected.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Love vs. Control: Penny’s admission that she acted as a “commanding officer” highlights how well-meaning love can become possessive. Baz’s insistence on keeping Simon “never out of sight” echoes the same tension.
- Letting Go: The chapter wrestles with what it means to set someone free. Penelope tries to apply the idea literally; Baz rejects it as a magical trick, not a life principle.
- Absence and Presence: Simon’s empty room and missing T-shirts symbolize his withdrawal. The note “I’m sorry” becomes an object of anger and confusion—a poor substitute for conversation.
- Communication Breakdown: Both Baz and Penelope are left guessing at Simon’s motives. The lack of explanation forces them to confront their own failures.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a pivotal turning point in the novel. It separates Simon from his two most important people, forcing each character to confront their codependent patterns. Baz’s decision to search alone sets up a solo quest that will test his character. Penelope’s resolve to stay put marks her growth, but also creates a rift. The chapter deepens the emotional stakes: Simon isn’t just gone—he has chosen to go, and his reasons remain unknown.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Baz react so strongly to Simon’s departure?
Baz’s entire sense of stability is tied to Simon’s presence. He believes Simon is reckless and needs constant supervision. The note “I’m sorry” strikes Baz as inadequate after everything they’ve been through. Baz also fears that Simon’s departure means Simon no longer wants him, which triggers Baz’s deep-seated insecurity.
2. What does Penelope mean when she says she was more like a commanding officer than a friend?
Penelope realizes that she has spent years making decisions for Simon—what to do, where to go, how to survive—under the pretense of protecting him. She now sees that this dynamic denied Simon agency. By refusing to chase him, she is trying to break that cycle, even though it hurts.
3. In what way does the chapter contrast magic with real-life solutions?
Baz dismisses the saying “if you love someone, set them free” by pointing out it was literally a spell his aunt cast to free his shoelace. This undercuts Penelope’s attempt at wisdom, suggesting that magical solutions don’t translate to human relationships. The chapter implies that love requires difficult, non-magical choices—like letting go or chasing.