Chapter Twenty-Four Summary and Analysis
Spoiler notice: This page contains a detailed summary and analysis of Chapter Twenty-Four of Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell. It reveals key plot developments and should be read after you have finished the chapter.
Summary
Ash tracks down Jane Trevally—Paddy’s former girlfriend, whom he always called by both names—on Instagram after finding her Facebook page offers little usable contact. She sends a direct message introducing herself as Paddy’s daughter and mentioning his death the previous October. Jane, who has been abroad and only recently returned, replies almost immediately saying she had not known about Paddy and would love to talk. They arrange to meet for brunch two days later at a restaurant in the King’s Cross development.
Ash travels into London for the first time since leaving her job under difficult circumstances, nervous about bumping into former colleagues or her ex-boss, Ritchie Lloyd. Jane is instantly recognizable by her bottle‑red hair and green cardigan. She holds Ash at arm’s length, sees Paddy in her face, and then hugs her. Over brunch, Ash confides that her father talked about his relationship with Jane when Ash was going through her own workplace obsession. Jane admits she was “mad” when young but speaks of Paddy with warmth, calling him the love of her life.
The conversation turns to the mysterious Nick Radcliffe. Ash shows Jane a screenshot of Nick’s now‑deleted LinkedIn page and the Zippo lighter he claimed belonged to Paddy. Jane examines the Zippo and states definitively that Paddy never owned a proper lighter; he always cadged matches or carried flimsy disposable Bics. The lighter looks too new to be from that era. Shaken, Ash mentions the other oddities: the baby pacifier clip and the dog waste bag she found in Nick’s coat—items that clash with his story of having no children or dog. Jane, whose wealthy, paranoid family and ex‑husbands “trust no one,” offers to run a background check on Nick. Ash gratefully accepts. Jane then produces photos of young Paddy, and Ash momentarily lets go of her unease, eager to see this new window into her father’s past.
Key Events
- Ash contacts Jane Trevally via Instagram and arranges a face‑to‑face meeting.
- Ash travels to London despite anxiety about encountering former work colleagues.
- Jane and Ash bond over memories of Paddy; Ash shares the circumstances of her own obsessive feelings for a colleague.
- Ash presents the Zippo lighter; Jane confirms Paddy never carried one, undermining Nick’s claim.
- Jane observes the Zippo looks too new and offers to have Nick investigated.
- Ash reveals the baby pacifier clip and dog waste bag found in Nick’s pocket, adding to suspicions.
- Jane produces photographs of a young Paddy, temporarily distracting Ash from the Nick mystery.
Character Development
Aisling “Ash” Swann:
Ash’s proactive search for truth is on display. She pushes through her fear of returning to London, showing determination. Her willingness to open up about her own obsession—and to connect it with her father’s stories—reveals emotional maturity and a deep need to understand both Paddy and herself. Her instincts about Nick are validated by Jane, cementing her role as an investigator rather than a passive participant.
Jane Trevally:
Jane emerges as a vibrant, candid figure. Described as strikingly beautiful and posh yet approachable, she speaks frankly about her youthful “madness” and her enduring affection for Paddy. Her certainty about the Zippo highlights her obsessive knowledge of Paddy’s minutiae, and her offer of an informal background check introduces a useful ally who operates in a world of “paranoid wealthy” networks. She bridges Ash’s present and Paddy’s past.
Nick Radcliffe (off‑page):
Although not present in the scene, Nick’s credibility crumbles. The Zippo is now proven not to be Paddy’s, and the discovered baby and dog items hint at a hidden life. His deleted LinkedIn profile reinforces the pattern of misinformation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Truth and Deception:
The chapter’s central revelation—that the Zippo never belonged to Paddy—crystallizes the novel’s ongoing mystery. A sentimental object sent to honour Paddy is exposed as a lie, deepening the uncertainty around Nick and his motivations.
Memory and Obsession:
Jane’s encyclopaedic recall of Paddy’s habits (he never owned a lighter) contrasts with Ash’s fragmented memories. The chapter also draws a parallel between Jane’s past obsession with Paddy and Ash’s own obsessive workplace crush, underpinning a motif of all‑consuming love that blurs boundaries.
The Zippo as a False Relic:
The lighter functions as a symbol of manipulated grief. What was meant to be a comforting connection to the dead becomes the first hard evidence of a possible con.
Hidden Domesticity:
The pacifier clip and dog waste bag are physical clues that Nick is concealing a family or pet. They echo the idea that the most ordinary objects can unravel a carefully constructed façade.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter Twenty-Four marks a turning point in Ash’s investigation. Until now, Nick’s intrusion into the family was unsettling but unproven; Jane’s certainty that the Zippo is not Paddy’s provides the first concrete proof of dishonesty. Jane also becomes an active ally, with resources to dig into Nick’s background. The chapter deepens the emotional texture by linking Ash’s current mission to the story of her father’s own past entanglement, reinforcing the novel’s themes of how the past intrudes on the present. It ends on a note of temporary comfort (the photos of young Paddy) that will soon be shattered by what Jane’s search uncovers.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What crucial information does Jane reveal about the Zippo lighter, and why is it significant?
Jane states that Paddy never owned a proper lighter; he always borrowed matches or carried cheap Bics that rarely worked. This proves the Zippo could not have been his, directly contradicting Nick’s story and implying that Nick has lied about his connection to Paddy. The revelation shifts the tone from mild suspicion to active concern about Nick’s motives.
2. How does Ash’s conversation with Jane connect to her own personal history, and what does it reveal about her character?
Ash confesses she became obsessed with a colleague, prompting Paddy to tell her about Jane’s similar behaviour during their relationship. By sharing this, Ash shows she is self‑aware and willing to draw on her father’s experience to make sense of her feelings. It also demonstrates that she views Jane not as a rival but as a link to a version of Paddy she never knew.
3. What new clues does Ash gather about Nick Radcliffe during this chapter, and what do they suggest?
Ash mentions finding a baby pacifier clip and a dog waste bag in Nick’s coat pocket—items that contradict Nick’s stated childless, pet‑free life. Combined with his deleted LinkedIn profile and the false Zippo, these clues suggest Nick is actively hiding aspects of his domestic situation and may have fabricated key parts of his identity.