Lustful Looks and Hovering Mothers: Hugh – Chapter 117 Summary
Spoiler Notice
This summary and analysis discusses events up to Chapter 117 of Releasing 10: The Boys of Tommen by Chloe Walsh. If you have not read this chapter, proceed with caution as major plot points and character revelations are discussed.
Summary
Hugh argues with his mother on the morning of June 30, 2000, after he negotiated a two‑week stay at Old Hall House to be with Lizzie. Mam worries about his intense feelings, calling them “lustful looks,” and suggests Lizzie stay at their home instead. Hugh rejects the idea because Lizzie cannot be around Gibsie—she blames him for something related to her sister Caoimhe’s death. The argument escalates into a bitter exchange about the family’s hypocrisy: Hugh accuses his mother of favoring the Gibson side while ignoring what Mark Allen did to Caoimhe. Hugh reveals he believes Lizzie’s account that Mark raped Caoimhe, and he criticizes his mother for using Lizzie’s bipolar disorder against her. Mam grounds him, but Hugh storms out with his bags, ready to bike to Lizzie’s. In the end, Mam relents and offers to drive him.
Key Events
- Hugh persuades Mam to let him stay at Lizzie’s by reminding her that Gibsie stayed with Claire after Joe and Beth died; Mam reluctantly agrees to two weeks with conditions.
- Mam confronts Hugh about the way he looks at Lizzie, calling it “lust,” and argues that puberty and secondary school require new rules.
- Hugh refuses Mam’s alternative of having Lizzie stay at their house because Lizzie will not be near Gibsie.
- Hugh openly declares he believes Lizzie’s claim that Mark Allen raped Caoimhe, despite the Gardaí clearing Mark.
- He accuses his mother of double standards: she supports Sadhbh Allen (Gibsie’s mother) but does not offer the same grace to Lizzie or visit Catherine.
- Hugh admits he has felt alone in the family’s silence about Mark’s behavior and reveals that his father’s depression has blanketed the household for years.
- After his mother grounds him, Hugh lists his perfect behavior (grades, sports, chores, no drinking) and argues he is being punished for always doing the right thing.
- Hugh storms out of the house, encounters Gibsie on the stairs, and heads for his bike.
- Mam follows, sighs in defeat, and offers to drive him instead.
Character Development
Hugh shows fierce loyalty to Lizzie, pushing back against his mother with a maturity that borders on defiance. He is not merely a rule‑follower: he is willing to use emotional blackmail and direct confrontation to protect the girl he loves. His speech about being “the son you raised” reveals a deep sense of justice and a painful awareness of family hypocrisy. The chapter cements Hugh as a character who sees clearly and refuses to accept convenient narratives.
Mam (Mrs. O’Sullivan) is portrayed as caring yet controlling. She genuinely worries about Hugh’s emotional health, but her insistence on maintaining family harmony—especially with the Gibson/Sadhbh Allen faction—makes her complicit in silencing Lizzie’s truth. Her final surrender shows that she values her son’s happiness over her own discomfort, even if she does not fully understand his perspective.
Lizzie is the absent center of the chapter. Through Hugh’s defense, we see her as isolated, grieving, and mistrusted by the community. Her bipolar disorder is weaponized against her, but Hugh refuses to let that define her.
Gibsie (Gerard) appears briefly, clad in a dinosaur onesie, oblivious to the storm. He remains a loyal friend but is caught in the widening rift between the Allen and Gibson families.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Loyalty vs. Family Conflict: Hugh is torn between his oldest friend (Gibsie) and the girl he loves (Lizzie). The chapter questions whether family loyalty should override the pursuit of truth and justice.
The Burden of the “Perfect Child”: Hugh’s laundry list of achievements highlights the pressure of being the responsible sibling. His mother’s grounding feels like punishment for being good, revealing that perfection does not earn trust or freedom.
Silence and Complicity: The family’s refusal to revisit the Mark Allen accusation is a motif for how communities protect abusers. Hugh’s mother admits she knows what the Gardaí said but does not want to “fan the flames of resentment,” which Hugh rightly calls bias.
Truth vs. Authority: Hugh insists that Lizzie’s truth matters more than official reports. The chapter sets up a central conflict: believing a survivor versus accepting the legal outcome.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 117 is a turning point for Hugh’s arc. He moves from a passive, rule‑following son to an active agent of his own convictions. The argument with his mother crystallizes the novel’s core tension: the fallout of Caoimhe’s death and the accusation against Mark Allen. It also deepens the rift between the O’Sullivan household and the Allen family, while showing Hugh’s determination to stand by Lizzie at any personal cost. The chapter lays the groundwork for future clashes between Hugh’s loyalty to Gibsie and his love for Lizzie.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What tactic does Hugh use to persuade his mother to let him stay at Old Hall House, and why is it effective?
Hugh reminds her that she allowed Gibsie to live with Claire for months after Joe and Beth died. Mam cannot deny that precedent without showing favoritism, so she reluctantly agrees—though with strict conditions.
2. Why does Hugh reject Mam’s suggestion that Lizzie stay at their house instead?
Lizzie cannot be in the same space as Gibsie. Hugh explains that “he’s not the problem” (referring to Mark’s absence) but rather the presence of Gibsie triggers Lizzie’s trauma. This shows that Lizzie still holds Gibsie responsible, even though Hugh believes Gibsie is innocent.
3. How does Hugh’s final outburst—listing his perfect behavior—undermine his mother’s authority?
By enumerating his achievements and good conduct, Hugh exposes the irony that he is being punished precisely for being a responsible son. He accuses Mam of punishing good behavior, which forces her to recognize that her grounding is based on fear, not on his actual wrongdoing.