Chapter 7 Summary, Analysis & Key Takeaways

⚠️ 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 with Ruth stepping outside to find Teddy slumped over the courtyard table, sketchbook in hand. He flips the book shut when she approaches, but she notices his exhaustion. She offers him coffee, and he jokingly says he would marry her for it. Ruth, still mindful of his retreat the previous night, decides that Teddy must earn everything from now on. She proposes a barter: one drawing for one cup of coffee. When she asks for a tortoise, Teddy hesitates, then confesses he accidentally stepped on a tortoise the night before. He had taken it to an after-hours vet, but it only received stabilization and painkillers; it needs a reptile specialist.

Ruth, who has been caring for tortoises on the property for years, examines the small creature. She notes it can move all its legs, which is a good sign. She explains that the shell needs resin and possibly wire, and she plans to send it to a reptile zoo for an x-ray and repair. Teddy is impressed by her knowledge and asks if she had wanted to be a vet. Ruth admits that was her childhood dream, but she dismisses it as no longer relevant. She mentions that the tortoises are valuable on the black market, which is part of why she lives on-site.

As they work, Teddy sketches the tortoise with remarkable skill, producing a detailed piece that Ruth finds stunning. He also draws a female figure in a cardigan, which he embellishes with sparkles, teasing Ruth about her “chastity cardigan.” He tells her about his night at a bowling alley with friends, showing her a photo of a grotesque dish called Frankenfries. Ruth asks him not to bring guests on-site, and he teases her about her upcoming online dating, which Melanie had mentioned. They agree to test whether they can hear each other through the thin wall between their cottages that night.

Before leaving for work with the Parloni boys, Teddy checks his phone, and Ruth glimpses his lock screen: a neon sign reading “ALWAYS AND FOREVER.” He leaves, and Ruth heads to the office, realizing she is looking forward to seeing him later—a thought that unsettles her.

Key Events

Ruth finds Teddy in the courtyard and initiates a barter: a drawing for coffee.
Teddy confesses to stepping on a tortoise and reveals he took it to a vet but needs specialist care.
Ruth examines the tortoise and plans to send it to a reptile zoo for repair.
They discuss Ruth’s abandoned dream of becoming a vet.
Teddy draws a detailed tortoise sketch that impresses Ruth.
Teddy shares his night at the bowling alley and shows a photo of Frankenfries.
Ruth asks Teddy not to bring guests on-site, and he teases her about online dating.
They agree to test the thin wall by speaking to each other from their beds.
Ruth notices Teddy’s lock screen reading “ALWAYS AND FOREVER.”
Ruth realizes she is looking forward to seeing Teddy again, which worries her.

Character Development

This chapter deepens both Ruth and Teddy’s characters through their interactions. Ruth’s guardedness is on full display: she consciously decides to make Teddy “earn” everything, a direct response to his retreat the previous night. Her internal monologue reveals her self-protective instincts—she refers to her “Teddy Shields Up” and imagines a “chastity cardigan” as a metaphor for her emotional armor. Yet her actions betray her growing interest: she leaves him a care package, examines the tortoise with genuine expertise, and finds herself looking forward to his company. Her admission that she once dreamed of being a vet, now dismissed as “just an office assistant,” shows a sense of lost potential and self-diminishment.

Teddy, meanwhile, is revealed as more than a charming troublemaker. His guilt over stepping on the tortoise is palpable; he describes hearing the crack and feeling it, and he treats the creature with tenderness. His artistic talent is showcased—he renders a detailed tortoise with ease, and his sketch of Ruth’s cardigan shows he observes her closely. He is also perceptive, picking up on her guardedness and teasing her about it, but in a way that feels playful rather than cruel. His lock screen, “ALWAYS AND FOREVER,” hints at a romantic or sentimental side that contrasts with his casual demeanor. The chapter ends with Ruth’s realization that she is in potential trouble, signaling a shift in her emotional state.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Tortoise rescue and rehabilitation: The injured tortoise symbolizes vulnerability and the need for care. Ruth’s expertise and Teddy’s guilt highlight themes of responsibility and redemption. The tortoise also serves as a bridge between them, allowing for cooperation and shared purpose.
Barter system: Ruth’s “sketch for coffee” deal establishes a transactional dynamic that mirrors her emotional guardedness. It also creates a playful intimacy, as they exchange goods and trust.
Care package / neighborly kindness: Ruth’s leaving supplies for Teddy—sheets, towel, toothbrush, and more—demonstrates her underlying compassion, even as she tries to maintain distance. This act of kindness softens the boundary between them.
Thin walls / shared intimacy: The wall between their cottages becomes a motif for their growing connection. The plan to test if they can hear each other suggests a desire for closeness, even as they frame it as a practical experiment.
Chastity cardigan: Teddy’s nickname for Ruth’s clothing symbolizes her emotional armor. The image of layers of cardigans suggests her self-protection, but also hints at the possibility of shedding them.
Abandoned childhood dream: Ruth’s admission about wanting to be a vet reflects themes of lost ambition and settling for less. Teddy’s encouragement (“I don’t think it’s too late”) plants a seed of possibility.
Comfort food / eating feelings: Teddy’s description of Frankenfries as a way to “eat your feelings” connects to emotional coping and the idea of indulging in something messy and satisfying.
ALWAYS AND FOREVER sign: This symbol, seen on Teddy’s phone, hints at themes of permanence and commitment, contrasting with his seemingly carefree lifestyle.
Boundary-setting: Ruth’s request that Teddy not bring guests on-site is a clear attempt to maintain control over her space and emotional safety.
Jealousy: Ruth’s internal reaction to the photo of Teddy’s friends, particularly the girl looking at him, reveals her jealousy and growing attachment.
Soft landing metaphor: Teddy’s comment about identifying with the tortoise—wanting a soft landing—underscores his own vulnerability and desire for safety.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 7 is pivotal for the development of Ruth and Teddy’s relationship. It moves them from wary neighbors to collaborators in a shared task (the tortoise rescue), allowing them to see each other’s competence and kindness. Ruth’s internal conflict becomes more pronounced: she is drawn to Teddy despite her efforts to keep him at arm’s length. The chapter also reveals key backstory—Ruth’s abandoned dream of becoming a vet—and introduces symbols that will likely recur, such as the tortoise and the “ALWAYS AND FOREVER” sign. The agreement to test the wall sets up a future intimate moment, and Ruth’s final realization that she can’t wait to see him signals a turning point in her emotional journey. This chapter deepens the romantic tension and sets the stage for the challenges ahead.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Ruth insist on a barter system with Teddy, and what does this reveal about her character?

Ruth’s insistence on a drawing for coffee stems from her decision that Teddy must “earn everything” after he retreated the previous night. This transactional approach reflects her emotional guardedness and her fear of being taken advantage of. It reveals her need for control and her reluctance to offer kindness without reciprocity, highlighting her self-protective nature.

2. How does the injured tortoise serve as a symbol in this chapter?

The tortoise represents vulnerability and the need for care. Teddy’s guilt over stepping on it shows his capacity for empathy, while Ruth’s expertise in handling it demonstrates her competence and hidden passion. The tortoise also acts as a catalyst for their cooperation, allowing them to work together and see each other in a new light. Additionally, Teddy’s comment about identifying with the tortoise—wanting a “soft landing”—links the creature to his own emotional state.

3. What does Ruth’s reaction to Teddy’s lock screen (“ALWAYS AND FOREVER”) suggest about her feelings?

Ruth notices the lock screen and immediately clicks it away, but the image lingers. The phrase “ALWAYS AND FOREVER” hints at a romantic or sentimental side to Teddy that contrasts with his playful exterior. Ruth’s attention to this detail suggests she is becoming more invested in him, and the symbol may foreshadow a deeper connection or commitment between them. Her subsequent realization that she is looking forward to seeing him reinforces her growing feelings.