Chapter 54: Ellis — Summary and 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

The chapter opens on Christmas Day with the Warr family’s unusual tradition of delaying present-opening until late afternoon. Georgia receives a stack of books, bath products, and a sweatshirt from her mum emblazoned with the phrase “Fries before guys,” which draws a laugh from the family. After the grandparents fall asleep and the adults settle into chess and cooking, Georgia plays Mario Kart with her cousin Ellis.

Later, Georgia sneaks off to her bedroom to check her phone. She opens her Facebook chat with her friend Pip, where she had sent a drunken “merry christmas” message the night before. The message remains unread. She then checks Pip’s Instagram, seeing that Pip has been active—posting stories from her family’s Christmas Eve celebrations and a recent photo of herself eating leftover buñuelos. Georgia concludes that Pip has seen the message but is deliberately ignoring her, and she feels the sting of their ongoing estrangement. She goes to bed early, reflecting that her singleness has become a family joke and that she will eventually have to explain her identity to them, though she dreads the inevitable conversation.

Around ten o’clock, Georgia heads downstairs for water and overhears raised voices. She realises they belong to Auntie Sal and Uncle Gavin, Ellis’s parents. They are criticising Ellis for being single and childless in her mid-thirties, comparing her unfavourably to Jonathan, who is married and settled. Ellis defends herself, stating that she does not experience romantic or sexual attraction and does not want children. Her parents dismiss this, suggesting therapy. Ellis refuses, insisting she does not need fixing, and points out that she has a successful career as an artist, plans to study art at university, and has friends. When her parents continue to push, Ellis stands up, declares she is an adult, and leaves the house.

Georgia, hidden on the stairs, watches Ellis put on her shoes and coat and step outside. Without thinking, Georgia grabs her dressing gown and slippers and follows. She finds Ellis sitting in her car, vape pen in hand but not smoking. Georgia knocks on the window, startling Ellis. After a brief exchange, Ellis invites Georgia in. Ellis says she is in the mood for a McDonald’s McFlurry, and Georgia agrees, noting that it feels like a “fries before guys” day. They drive off together.

Key Events

Georgia receives a “Fries before guys” sweatshirt from her mum, which becomes a recurring motif.
She plays Mario Kart with her cousin Ellis, establishing their easy rapport.
Georgia checks her phone and discovers Pip’s unread message and recent Instagram activity, leading her to believe Pip is ignoring her.
She goes to bed early, feeling the weight of her lost friendships and her hidden identity.
Georgia overhears Auntie Sal and Uncle Gavin berating Ellis for being single and childless.
Ellis defends her aromantic asexual identity and rejects her parents’ suggestion of therapy.
Ellis leaves the house in anger, and Georgia follows her to the car.
Ellis suggests getting a McFlurry, and the two drive off together, leaving the conflict behind.

Character Development

Georgia – This chapter shows Georgia’s growing empathy and courage. She is still anxious about Pip’s rejection, but she chooses to act on behalf of someone else. Her decision to follow Ellis, despite feeling awkward, demonstrates a shift from self-absorption to active support. She also recognises her own fears about coming out when she imagines the conversation with her family, but she does not yet act on that realisation.

Ellis – Ellis emerges as a strong, self-aware adult who has clearly grappled with her identity for years. She articulates her aromantic asexual identity clearly and rejects the idea that she needs to be “fixed.” Her frustration with her parents is palpable, but she also shows vulnerability when she is on the verge of tears. Her invitation to Georgia to join her in the car reveals her need for connection and her willingness to accept comfort.

Auntie Sal and Uncle Gavin – They represent the generational pressure to conform to traditional life milestones. Their insistence on therapy and their focus on grandchildren show a fundamental misunderstanding of Ellis’s identity, framing it as a problem to be solved rather than a valid way of being.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Family pressure to conform – The chapter directly confronts how families often expect marriage and children as markers of success. Auntie Sal and Uncle Gavin’s comparison to Jonathan highlights this pressure.
Aromantic asexual identity – Ellis’s explicit statement that she does not experience romantic or sexual attraction is a central revelation. Her refusal to accept therapy as a “cure” affirms that her identity is not a disorder.
Invalidation of identity – The parents’ suggestion of therapy and their dismissal of Ellis’s feelings (“Not this again”) show how identity can be invalidated by loved ones.
Coming out anxiety – Georgia’s imagined conversation with her family, where she anticipates disbelief and dismissal, mirrors Ellis’s real experience and foreshadows Georgia’s own journey.
Found family – Ellis’s assertion that she has friends and will make new friends suggests that chosen relationships can substitute for biological family support.
Escape from conflict – The car and the trip to McDonald’s serve as a literal escape from the tense household, offering a space for connection and relief.
Fries before guys motif – The sweatshirt’s phrase is echoed when Georgia thinks about wanting chips, reinforcing the idea that platonic companionship and self-fulfilment can take precedence over romantic relationships.
Car as refuge – The car becomes a safe space where Ellis can be herself without judgment, and where Georgia can offer support.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 54 is pivotal for both Georgia’s character arc and the novel’s exploration of aromantic asexual identity. It provides a concrete example of the family conflict that Georgia fears, showing her what coming out might entail. Ellis’s strength and self-acceptance serve as a model for Georgia, even if Georgia does not yet fully recognise it. The chapter also deepens the bond between Georgia and Ellis, establishing Ellis as a potential mentor or ally. The “fries before guys” motif ties the chapter together, suggesting that Georgia is beginning to embrace a life where friendship and self-worth are not dependent on romance. This chapter sets up Georgia’s eventual coming out and her growing understanding of her own identity.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Ellis’s confrontation with her parents illustrate the concept of identity invalidation?

Ellis’s parents repeatedly dismiss her statements about not wanting to date or have children, calling it a “life choice” and suggesting therapy. They frame her identity as a problem to be fixed, ignoring her clear articulation of who she is. This invalidation is a classic example of how aromantic and asexual people are often told they are confused, broken, or need professional help. Ellis’s response—that she does not need fixing—directly challenges this harmful narrative.

2. What role does the “fries before guys” sweatshirt play in this chapter?

The sweatshirt is introduced as a humorous gift, but it becomes a motif that resonates with Georgia’s internal state. When she decides to join Ellis for a McFlurry, she thinks, “I guess it was a ‘fries before guys’ day,” linking the phrase to her choice to prioritise a platonic connection over any romantic concerns. The motif reinforces the idea that friendship and self-care can be more important than romantic pursuits, aligning with Georgia’s developing identity.

3. How does Georgia’s decision to follow Ellis demonstrate her growth?

Earlier in the chapter, Georgia is preoccupied with Pip’s rejection and her own anxieties. But when she hears Ellis being mistreated, she acts impulsively to offer comfort, even though she feels awkward. This shows that Georgia is capable of empathy and bravery, moving beyond her own problems to support someone else. It also foreshadows her ability to form meaningful, non-romantic relationships, which is central to her journey in the novel.