Chapter 113 Summary: Let's Steal Away: Lizzie
Spoiler Warning: This summary and analysis contains detailed spoilers for Chapter 113 of Releasing 10 (The Boys of Tommen) by Chloe Walsh. Read only after you've finished the chapter.
Summary
On Saturday evening, June 17, 2000, Lizzie and Hugh sit together in the tall grass of the meadow on her parents' property. Hugh asks if she will return to school before summer break; Lizzie shakes her head, and he agrees there is little point with only two weeks left. Lizzie forces herself to engage and asks about his sixth-class graduation. Hugh reveals he will graduate the Thursday after next and that he will receive the student of the year award. Lizzie feels a flicker of excitement and tells him she is proud. Hugh deflects attention back to her, but Lizzie begs him to distract her by talking about anything other than herself. Hugh then updates her on rugby—mentioning the "Dub" (Johnny Kavanagh) joining the team—and shares that he came third at nationals in swimming and received his acceptance letter for Tommen College, with the highest entrance exam results in three schools. Lizzie jokes about Hugh someday fixing her heart. Hugh promises he will not leave her behind: he plans to take her to Trinity College and then around the world. He has already worked out that she can skip fourth year and, at eighteen, legally come with him; if her parents object, they will marry. Lizzie muses that he has clearly put much thought into this, and Hugh confirms he has been planning since the day she said she would marry him. He presses her to keep her heart beating because he needs her. Lizzie whispers her promise.
Key Events
- Hugh asks Lizzie about returning to school; she avoids the topic.
- Hugh shares his imminent graduation, student of the year award, and his swimming achievement (third at nationals).
- Hugh reveals his acceptance to Tommen College with the highest entrance exam scores in three schools.
- He mentions Johnny Kavanagh (the Dub) as a fellow high achiever and rugby teammate.
- Lizzie deflects conversation to rugby and swimming rather than her own struggles.
- Hugh promises to never leave Lizzie behind and outlines his plan to bring her to Dublin.
- He states that if her parents refuse, they will get married when she turns eighteen.
- Hugh admits he has been planning this since Lizzie agreed to marry him.
- The chapter ends with Lizzie promising to keep her heart beating.
Character Development
Lizzie: Lizzie is in a fragile emotional state, actively avoiding any talk about herself. She relies on Hugh to distract her, indicating she is struggling with something beneath the surface (likely her heart condition, hinted at by the "fix your heart" joke). She shows traces of her old self—pride in Hugh, a playful laugh when discussing marriage—but the lightness is strained.
Hugh: Hugh demonstrates deep, mature commitment to Lizzie. He is not only a high achiever academically and athletically but has also been quietly constructing a future that includes Lizzie at every step. His confidence, planning, and tenderness underline his role as Lizzie's anchor. His blush when sharing his accomplishments shows humility and pride in his genuine passion (swimming) rather than rugby.
Johnny Kavanagh (the Dub): Though only mentioned briefly, Johnny is positioned as Hugh's equal in intellect and athletic potential, hinting at the friendship dynamic central to the Boys of Tommen series.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Escape and Distraction: Lizzie's explicit request to be distracted highlights her need to escape her own reality. Hugh's stories about school, swimming, and rugby serve as a temporary refuge for her.
Future as a Promise: The chapter is built around Hugh's meticulously planned future for them both—the meadow becomes a space where time stands still and a shared dream is woven. The plans (skip fourth year, marry at eighteen, attend Royce College) are not just fantasy but a lifeline for Lizzie.
Heart as Metaphor and Reality: Lizzie's "joke" about Hugh fixing her heart operates on both a literal (her health condition) and emotional level. Hugh's insistence that she keep her heart beating reinforces the serious stakes beneath the lighthearted conversation.
The Meadow as Sanctuary: The setting—the tall grass on Lizzie's parents' property—recurs as a private, sacred space where the two can be vulnerable and honest.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 113 deepens the emotional bond between Lizzie and Hugh, illustrating that Hugh's love is not passive but active and protective. It foreshadows future conflicts—Lizzie's heart condition, the challenge of their age gap, potential parental opposition—while giving readers a beautiful, optimistic interlude. The chapter also subtly introduces themes that will echo later in the series, such as the pressure of academic achievement, the importance of knowing one's true passion (swimming over rugby), and the lifeline that love can provide in dark times.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Lizzie avoid talking about herself, and what does this reveal about her state of mind?
Lizzie is clearly in emotional distress, hinting at deeper issues (likely her heart condition). She admits she wants to talk about anything but herself. This avoidance suggests she is not ready to confront her reality and relies on Hugh to provide a mental escape.
2. How does Hugh’s plan for the future demonstrate his commitment to Lizzie?
Hugh has already mapped out specific steps—skipping fourth year, attending Royce College, marrying at eighteen—showing he has thought about practical obstacles. His statement that he has been planning since she agreed to marry him underscores his unwavering devotion.
3. What is the significance of the "fix your heart" joke?
The joke layers literal and figurative meanings. Lizzie likely has a real medical issue with her heart, which Hugh will go on to treat as a heart surgeon. The line also symbolizes Hugh's role as the person who mends her emotional wounds, reinforcing his promise that he will never leave her.