Chapter 43: The Home for Waifs
⚠️ 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 and Simon take a taxi to Smith-Richards’s residential centre, a repurposed church called the Home for Waifs. They spot Professor Bunce (Penny’s father) leaving but don’t catch him. A nervous young woman named Pippa opens the door and immediately retreats when she sees Simon. Simon forgets to invite Baz inside, but after a pointed look, he pulls Baz over the threshold. Smith-Richards greets them warmly and recognises Baz as Daphne’s son. In his cluttered office, Simon asks if Smith-Richards always knew he was the Chosen One. Smith-Richards explains he only began to suspect after Simon’s true nature was exposed, citing signs like a prophetic dream, an eclipse birth, and his godfather’s belief in him. Simon presses about the first person Smith-Richards healed—Jamie—and learns that Jamie is fully fluent in magic but does not live at the centre. Smith-Richards offers to arrange a meeting and exchanges numbers with Simon. Before they leave, he tells Simon he can keep his wings hidden if he prefers. Baz remains skeptical throughout, noting Smith-Richards’s charisma and the convenience of his story.
Key Events
- Baz and Simon arrive at the Home for Waifs and see Professor Bunce rushing away.
- Pippa, a nervous girl, opens the door and runs inside after spotting Simon.
- Smith-Richards welcomes them and immediately connects Baz to his mother Daphne.
- In his office, Simon directly asks Smith-Richards how he discovered he was the Chosen One.
- Smith-Richards shares a personal history: a dream his mother had, an eclipse at his birth, his parents’ death, and his godfather’s encouragement.
- Simon steers the conversation to Jamie, the first person Smith-Richards healed with his “miracle” spell.
- Smith-Richards confirms Jamie is now a fully capable magician but does not live at the centre.
- Smith-Richards and Simon exchange phone numbers.
- Smith-Richards tells Simon he can hide his wings if it makes him more comfortable.
- Baz repeatedly deflects Smith-Richards’s offers to demonstrate his power.
Character Development
Simon Snow shows a vulnerability he rarely displays. He is starstruck by Smith-Richards, asking almost childlike questions about being the Chosen One. This suggests Simon is still searching for validation and a narrative that makes sense of his past. He earnestly wants to believe in Smith-Richards’s message.
Basilton Pitch (Baz) acts as the skeptical observer. He notices every manipulation: the expensive “simple” furniture, the way Smith-Richards ignores him to focus on Simon, and the convenient timing of his “chosen one” revelation. Baz’s crisp questions (about the strain of the cure, about meeting Jamie) show his protective instinct toward Simon.
Smith-Richards is portrayed as charismatic and ambiguous. He deflects direct questions with warm gestures (offering food, touching shoulders) and presents his backstory in a way that mirrors Simon’s own orphaned, uncertain origins. He seems genuine but refuses to provide concrete proof of Jamie’s existence on the spot.
Pippa appears briefly but her flight from Simon—who is famous for the Mage’s downfall—hints that not everyone in this community is comfortable with Simon’s presence.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- The Search for Identity: Simon’s questions reveal his deep need to understand what “Chosen One” means now that his old role is gone. Smith-Richards offers a template, but Baz’s suspicion keeps the reader from fully trusting it.
- Belief vs. Skepticism: The chapter contrasts Simon’s open faith in Smith-Richards with Baz’s calculated doubt. Their dynamic mirrors a broader tension between hope and critical thinking.
- The Home for Waifs: The building’s name (and origins as a former church) symbolises a refuge for the broken—but also suggests an institution that may profit from the vulnerable. Smith-Richards’s “foundlings’ home” could be a genuine charity or a front.
- Light and Staging: Smith-Richards is repeatedly described in shaft of light, sun behind his head like a saint. This visual motif hints at performance and manipulation; he knows how to present himself as a saviour figure.
- Wings Hidden/Revealed: Smith-Richards’s permission for Simon to hide his wings underscores the theme of concealment versus authenticity. Simon is still learning when it is safe to be his true self.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 43 is a turning point in Simon’s investigation of Smith-Richards. It provides the first direct conversation between the two would-be Chosen Ones, allowing Simon to voice his deepest questions about destiny and worth. Baz’s role as the skeptic grounds the scene, preventing it from becoming pure adoration. The chapter also deepens the mystery around Smith-Richards’s healing spell: he cannot produce Jamie immediately, and his explanation of how he discovered his “calling” feels rehearsed. For the first time, the reader suspects that Smith-Richards might be a fraud—or at least a self-dramatist. The chapter also advances Baz’s concern for Simon’s emotional vulnerability, setting up potential conflict if Simon becomes too attached to Smith-Richards’s narrative.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Simon ask Smith-Richards about being the Chosen One?
Simon is desperate for a model of what a Chosen One should look like. Having lost his identity as the Mage’s weapon, he needs to understand if his past was unique or if others share a similar path. His questions betray a longing to feel special again in a positive way.
2. How does Baz undermine Smith-Richards’s credibility during the visit?
Baz uses pointed questions (e.g., “Have you recovered from last night?”) and refuses Smith-Richards’s offer to demonstrate his touch-based magic. He also notices the expensive furniture and the staged lighting, mentally cataloguing details that suggest Smith-Richards is performing a role rather than living humbly.
3. What is the significance of Smith-Richards telling Simon he can hide his wings?
This moment shows Smith-Richards’s understanding of Simon’s insecurity. By offering permission to conceal a part of himself that makes Simon feel exposed, Smith-Richards positions himself as empathetic and safe. However, it also highlights the control he might exert: he decides when the truth is acceptable.