Chapter 26: Diary Discoveries and a Late-Night Epiphany

⚠️ 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

It is well past midnight, and Daisy is still awake. The contents of the box her grandmother gave her are spread across her bed, and she has been obsessively sorting through them for a week since Beltane. She has found more photos of her great-aunt Daisy (whom she now calls Aunt D), some with a man who looks like Elliot, and a diary buried at the bottom of the box. Daisy reads several diary entries from 1925: Aunt D describes a handsome stranger named Nathan who keeps buying flowers and complimenting her, despite her efforts to push him away. Daisy sees a clear parallel to her own situation with Elliot.

Meanwhile, Daisy has been avoiding Elliot in person since Beltane, though they text nearly every night. She misses him but is terrified of getting too close. After a late-night text exchange, Elliot goes to bed. Daisy contemplates contacting him to share the diary but hesitates.

Later, Iris calls at 2 a.m. while dealing with her baby Owen. They talk about Aunt D’s diary, and Iris gently points out that Daisy is repeating her great-aunt’s pattern of pushing someone away. Iris reminds Daisy that Elliot is nothing like her exes Matthew or David. The conversation gives Daisy a new perspective, and the next morning she feels braver. She texts Elliot, asking to meet at the library to show him something. Elliot immediately agrees, and Daisy begins to recognize that Elliot has always been different.

Key Events

Daisy stays up late sorting through her great-aunt’s keepsakes, prioritizing the past over her present life.
She reads diary entries from May–June 1925 in which Aunt D interacts with a persistent flower buyer named Nathan.
Daisy and Elliot exchange texts; he is watching a documentary about the American Revolution. They keep up their nightly texting habit.
Daisy reflects on Beltane—the kissing, the cuddling, and her decision to pull away afterward.
She imagines texting Elliot vulnerable messages like “Come over” and “Fall in love with me,” but instead sends a safe goodnight.
Iris calls at 2 a.m. while struggling with a wakeful baby; the two sisters talk about Aunt D and Daisy’s romantic fears.
Iris argues that Elliot is different from Daisy’s past partners and that Daisy is torturing herself by staying distant.
The next morning, Daisy texts Elliot to meet at the library. He responds immediately with “Any time.”

Character Development

Daisy begins to acknowledge that her fear of being hurt is driving her avoidance of Elliot. Her conversation with Iris forces her to reconsider whether her past experiences (with Matthew and David) should dictate her present choices. By the end of the chapter, she takes a small but meaningful step by inviting Elliot to meet.
Elliot continues to demonstrate patience and consistency. He does not pressure Daisy despite her repeated backing away; his “Any time” message underscores his steady devotion.
Iris serves as a grounding voice, drawing on her own happy relationship with Archer to counsel Daisy. She directly connects Daisy’s behavior to Aunt D’s, encouraging her sister to break the cycle.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Parallel generations: Aunt D’s diary entries from the 1920s mirror Daisy’s contemporary struggle with Elliot. Both women encounter a man who pays attention and compliments them; both try to push the man away while secretly wanting him to stay.
Fear of vulnerability: Daisy’s avoidance of Elliot after Beltane stems from her fear that the relationship will end badly, as her previous ones did. The chapter explores how past pain can hold someone back from a promising present.
The diary as a narrative device: The diary provides a window into the past and becomes a catalyst for Daisy’s self-reflection. Reading her great-aunt’s words forces Daisy to confront her own patterns.
Late-night conversations: The 2 a.m. call with Iris mirrors the intimate, unfiltered talks that often lead to breakthroughs. The setting (dark, quiet, slightly exhausted) allows for honesty.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 26 marks a turning point in Daisy’s emotional journey. After weeks of avoidance, she begins to move toward Elliot rather than away from him. The parallel with Aunt D’s story gives historical weight to Daisy’s dilemma, and Iris’s advice provides the nudge Daisy needs. This chapter shows that Daisy is ready to start paying attention to the person Elliot has always been—someone who shows up, every time.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Aunt D’s diary mirror Daisy’s current situation with Elliot? Aunt D’s diary entries describe a man (Nathan) who buys flowers and compliments her, while she tries to push him away. Daisy is doing the same with Elliot: she keeps him at a distance after Beltane, even though she misses him. Both women are cautious about letting someone in, and both are ultimately drawn to the persistent man.

2. What role does Iris play in Daisy’s decision to reach out to Elliot? Iris acts as a wise older sister who has found happiness with Archer. She points out that Elliot is nothing like Daisy’s ex-boyfriend David or ex-husband Matthew. She tells Daisy she is “torturing” herself and asks if it is worth it. This conversation helps Daisy see that she is repeating a pattern and that Elliot is worth a chance.

3. Why does Daisy avoid Elliot even though she clearly misses him? Daisy is afraid of being hurt again. Her past relationships ended badly, and she believes that getting close to Elliot will inevitably lead to the same outcome. She also struggles with the intensity of her feelings—she wants to say “come over” and “fall in love with me,” but she suppresses those urges because vulnerability terrifies her.