Any Way the Wind Blows: Chapter 24 Summary & Analysis
⚠️ 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
Agatha rides with Niamh to Watford in a car without air‑con. As they near the school, Agatha’s anxiety spikes. She asks Niamh to pull over, claiming she might be sick. Agatha gets out, sits under a tree, and drinks water. Niamh explains she’s checking on the Watford goats, which once belonged to Ebb Petty. The conversation turns to their shared past: Niamh reveals she is “Brody,” the fierce lacrosse player from three years above Agatha. Agatha does not initially recognise her. They argue about the cancelled lacrosse match (caused by Simon’s werewolf fight) and about Agatha’s kidnappings. Niamh chases an escaped billy goat. Agatha, caught in the pursuit, spontaneously sings “Mary Had a Little Lamb” while pointing her wand, and the goat follows her. They lead the goat back through the Watford gates. Niamh praises Agatha’s spellwork. Agatha feels faint again and says she’ll wait; Niamh asks for help finding the rest of the herd. Agatha reluctantly agrees.
Key Events
- Agatha experiences a panic attack on the way to Watford.
- Niamh pulls over, and Agatha sits under a tree to recover.
- Niamh reveals she’s checking on the Watford goats, formerly Ebb Petty’s herd.
- Agatha belatedly recognises Niamh as “Brody,” a star lacrosse player.
- They disagree about the events of Simon’s final year and Agatha’s kidnappings.
- A billy goat escapes; Niamh chases it, and Agatha joins the chase.
- Agatha casts an improvised spell by singing a nursery rhyme, charming the goat.
- They lead the goat through the Watford gates and onto the Great Lawn.
- Niamh compliments Agatha’s magic, and Agatha considers helping find other goats.
Character Development
Agatha: This chapter shows Agatha’s vulnerability and growth. Her panic attack highlights lingering trauma from her time at Watford and her kidnapping. She confronts her own past privilege (“the whole school revolved around you”) and sees herself through Niamh’s eyes. Her successful, unplanned nursery‑rhyme spell reveals a creativity and power she hasn’t tapped into before.
Niamh (Brody): Readers see Niamh’s earlier identity as a fierce, intimidating athlete. Now she is dedicated, practical, and soft‑spoken in her veterinary role. Her patience with Agatha and her commitment to the goats, despite the difficulty, show her compassion and stubbornness.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
- Identity and Change: Agatha and Niamh both grapple with how much they’ve changed—and how others remember them. Niamh is no longer the “monstrous” Brody, and Agatha struggles with being seen as the untouchable “Agatha Wellbelove.”
- Memory and Perspective: Their argument about the past shows that events (kidnappings, the lacrosse match) are remembered radically differently by those involved.
- Belonging: The goats must “know they belong here” rather than be penned. This mirrors Agatha’s own uncertain relationship with Watford—she is not sure she can go back, but she is drawn to help.
- Magic and Creativity: Agatha’s impromptu spell works because she commits to the nursery rhyme. Niamh notes she would never have tried it, highlighting the value of adaptable, creative magic.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 24 is a turning point for Agatha. She returns to Watford for the first time since leaving, forced to confront her fear and her past reputation. The chapter deepens her connection with Niamh, moving from irritation to grudging cooperation. The goat‑chase sequence reveals a new side of Agatha’s magical ability, suggesting she has untapped potential. It also sets up her involvement with the school’s current life and her eventual reconciliation with her history.
Study Questions & Answers
1. Why does Agatha panic when Niamh drives toward Watford? Agatha hasn’t been back to Watford since leaving, and the proximity triggers a physical anxiety response. She associates the school with trauma (kidnappings, social pressure) and is unsure if she can manage returning.
2. How does Agatha’s perception of Niamh change over the course of the chapter? Initially Agatha sees Niamh only as an irritating, awkward vet. When she recognises her as Brody, she is shocked and defensive. Through their argument and the goat chase, Agatha begins to see Niamh’s dedication and skill, and they find a grudging respect.
3. What does the nursery‑rhyme spell reveal about Agatha’s magic? Agatha has often thought of herself as an “anaemic magician.” The successful spell proves she can perform clever, non‑standard magic when she commits fully and uses her creativity. It hints that her magic is stronger than she believes, but requires emotional investment.