Any Way the Wind Blows Chapter 63 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
After Baz and Simon have sex for the first time, they lie in bed together in Simon’s dark room. Baz is anxious, worrying about whether Simon is okay and whether he did anything wrong. Simon reassures him, calling him “babe” and saying it was good. Simon explains that he focused on doing something for Baz, which made the experience feel like a mission. They exchange “I love you” and fall asleep. Simon suggests a future trip to Ikea for a lamp.
The next morning, Penelope knocks to say Fiona is there. Fiona takes Baz to a café. She apologizes indirectly, confessing she always felt inferior to Baz’s mother, Natasha—a powerful, beloved figure who married for love. Fiona gives Baz the vintage tape recorder she used years ago on Philippa, still under the “Caught on Tape” spell. Baz can play it for Philippa to prove something. Fiona also admits she was looking for her mother’s wedding ring when she visited Watford, and reveals she plans to marry Nico, a vampire. Baz objects but promises not to tell anyone. Fiona argues they must make decisions for the living.
Baz returns to the flat. Penelope spots the tape recorder and reminds Simon that Baz once attacked him with it. Baz warns Simon not to touch it.
Key Events
- Baz and Simon have sex for the first time; both are tender and vulnerable afterward.
- Simon calls Baz “babe” and says he treated the encounter like a mission to please Baz.
- Baz expresses his love for Simon, and Simon reciprocates.
- Fiona arrives the next morning and takes Baz for tea.
- Fiona delivers an emotional apology about her lifelong struggle to live up to Natasha’s legacy.
- Fiona gives Baz the tape recorder with the still-active “Caught on Tape” spell.
- Fiona explains she was trying to steal her mother’s wedding ring from Natasha’s grave.
- Fiona reveals she is marrying Nico and plans not to become a vampire.
- Baz returns to the flat; Penelope and Simon react to the tape recorder.
Character Development
- Baz – Shows profound vulnerability after sex, worrying about Simon’s reaction and his own inexperience. He softens further during Fiona’s confession, crying and forgiving her. His trust in Simon deepens.
- Simon – Displays unexpected ease and maturity after intimacy, taking a nurturing role. He reframes his actions as a mission to care for Baz, showing growth from his usual destructive impulses.
- Fiona – Reveals a hidden layer of grief and insecurity. Her apology, though not explicit, acknowledges her inadequacy after Natasha’s death. Her decision to marry Nico shows she is making choices for herself rather than comparing with Natasha.
- Penelope – Observant as ever, she recognizes the tape recorder and connects it to past events, reminding Simon of Baz’s earlier hostility.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Vulnerability and Trust – Both Baz and Simon expose their fears and desires after sex. Baz’s panic and Simon’s calm reassurance highlight the fragile trust they are building.
- Legacy and Guilt – Fiona’s entire arc centres on Natasha’s shadow. She feels she can never measure up, and her apology reflects a lifetime of trying and failing to replace the irreplaceable.
- Making Decisions for the Living – Fiona justifies marrying Nico by saying the dead’s opinions no longer matter. This echoes Baz’s own choices about his identity and relationship.
- The Tape Recorder as Evidence – This object links past and present, a physical reminder of Baz’s earlier cruelty toward Simon. It now becomes a tool for truth and perhaps reconciliation.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 63 is a turning point for Baz’s emotional arc. It solidifies his relationship with Simon by showing they can navigate intimacy without catastrophe. At the same time, it delivers a major plot device—the tape recorder—which will likely be used to exonerate or expose someone. Fiona’s vulnerable confession also humanizes her, complicating the reader’s view of her past actions. The chapter balances romance, family drama, and ongoing mysteries.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Simon describe what they just did as a “mission”?
Simon explains that he focused entirely on doing something for Baz, which gave him a clear purpose. This made the experience feel safe and positive, unlike his usual chaos. It shows Simon’s need for direction and his love expressed through service.
2. What does Fiona’s apology reveal about her relationship with Natasha?
Fiona admits she always felt second-best to Natasha, who was smarter, more powerful, and always did the right thing. Natasha’s death left Fiona feeling unable to fill her role, leading her to act out. The apology shows that Fiona’s harsh exterior hides deep guilt and love for her sister.
3. How does the tape recorder connect to earlier events in the series?
Baz used this same tape recorder in their fifth year at Watford to capture a conversation with Philippa, exposing her betrayal. It was believed lost. Fiona had kept it under her bed, still enchanted. Now Baz can bring it to Philippa, potentially unlocking new information about the Humdrum or other secrets.