Chapter 28 Summary and Key Events
⚠️ 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 Marco noticing that his mother, Lucy, has been in an unusually strange mood all weekend. She is constantly checking her phone, snapping at him and his sister Stella over minor things, and neglecting the family dog, Fitz. Marco assumes that Uncle Henry has gone to Africa to find Phin, Libby's father, but Lucy reveals that Phin is no longer there. She won't explain further, and every time Marco tries to ask, she deflects.
On Sunday evening, Fitz is about to relieve himself indoors, prompting Marco to knock on his mother's bedroom door. She agrees to take the dog out, and Marco uses the moment to press her again about Henry. Finally, her resolve cracks: she admits that Henry has blocked her number. Marco is stunned—this is a big deal. He suggests they try calling from his phone, and she agrees. After she returns from walking Fitz, they attempt the call, but it rings out. They also try WhatsApp, but Henry blocks Marco's number almost immediately.
Marco asks if they have done something wrong, his voice cracking. Lucy reassures him that they haven't, but then she begins to explain Henry's complicated history with Phin. She reminds Marco that when they first arrived in London, Henry looked so much like Phin that she wasn't sure who he was. She then reveals that Henry used to be obsessed with Phin when they were younger—following him, staring at him, and once pushing him into a river when Phin wouldn't kiss him, nearly causing him to drown. On the night they escaped the Chelsea house, Henry tied Phin to a radiator, and Phin could have died again. Lucy explains that Phin learned from Clemency that Henry was coming to Botswana and left the same day. Now she suspects Henry has found out where Phin is and is on his way to make him feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Marco's mind races as he tries to reconcile this dark history with the funny, acerbic uncle he knows. He insists they must find Henry. Lucy says she has been trying all weekend but cannot get into Henry's old devices—two iPhones, an old Mac, an iPad, and chargers. Marco suggests his friend Alf, who is something of a hacker, could try. Lucy is skeptical, noting that Henry is tech-savvy himself, but Marco argues that young hackers trump old ones. She agrees, and Marco messages Alf.
Key Events
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Marco observes Lucy's distracted and irritable behavior all weekend.
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Lucy reveals that Phin is no longer in Africa and that Henry has disappeared.
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Henry blocks Lucy's calls and messages, then blocks Marco's number as well.
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Lucy explains Henry's past obsession with Phin, including the river incident and the radiator incident.
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Marco insists they find Henry, and Lucy produces Henry's old devices.
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Marco proposes that his friend Alf, a hacker, attempt to break into the devices.
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Lucy reluctantly agrees, and Marco contacts Alf.
Character Development
Marco emerges as a perceptive and proactive young man. He notices his mother's distress, pushes for answers, and refuses to let the mystery slide. His suggestion to use Alf's hacking skills shows resourcefulness and a willingness to take action. He also demonstrates emotional maturity when he asks if they have done something wrong, revealing his vulnerability and his deep bond with Henry.
Lucy is portrayed as a protective mother who is struggling to shield her children from the darker truths of her past. She is hesitant to reveal Henry's history, fearing it will damage Marco's relationship with him. Her admission is a significant act of trust, and her frustration with the locked devices underscores her desperation.
Henry is developed indirectly through Lucy's revelations. The reader learns that his past behavior toward Phin was troubling, yet Lucy insists he is still an amazing person in many ways. This complexity adds depth to his character and raises questions about his current intentions.
Alf is introduced as a minor but potentially pivotal character—a friend of Marco's with hacking skills, suggesting a new avenue for uncovering the truth.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Blocked communication is a central motif. Henry's decision to block Lucy and Marco symbolizes a severing of trust and a deliberate retreat from the family. The repeated failed calls and messages highlight the frustration of trying to reach someone who does not want to be found.
Old devices as evidence represent the lingering traces of Henry's past. They are locked, impenetrable, and hold secrets that Lucy cannot access, symbolizing the barriers between the present and the unresolved trauma of the Chelsea house.
Hacking as a plot device introduces a modern, tech-savvy solution to a mystery rooted in the past. It suggests that the younger generation may be able to unlock what the older generation cannot.
Family secrets are at the forefront. Lucy's reluctant disclosure of Henry's history with Phin reveals how the past continues to shape the present, and how protecting loved ones sometimes means hiding painful truths.
Protection is a recurring theme. Lucy tries to protect Marco from the ugliness of Henry's past, while Marco wants to protect Henry from himself. The chapter explores the lengths people go to shield those they care about.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the narrative. It bridges the gap between the present-day mystery of Henry's disappearance and the historical trauma of the Chelsea house, providing crucial backstory that explains Henry's behavior. It also introduces the hacking subplot, which will likely be instrumental in uncovering Henry's whereabouts and the secrets he has kept. Marco's involvement shifts the dynamic from Lucy's passive worry to active investigation, setting the stage for the next phase of the story.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Marco insist on finding Henry, even after learning about his troubling past?
Marco's insistence stems from his deep affection for Henry, whom he sees as a funny and understanding uncle. He is shocked by the revelations but does not want to believe Henry is capable of harm. His desire to find Henry is driven by concern for both Henry and Phin, and by a need to reconcile the uncle he knows with the troubled man from Lucy's stories.
2. How does Lucy's explanation of Henry's past affect Marco's view of him?
Marco's initial reaction is confusion and disbelief. He struggles to reconcile the cool, acerbic uncle with the person who pushed Phin into a river and tied him to a radiator. The information forces Marco to see Henry as more complicated, but it does not diminish his love for him. Instead, it makes Marco more determined to understand and help.
3. What role does Alf play in the plot, and why is his introduction significant?
Alf is introduced as a hacker friend of Marco's. His significance lies in his ability to potentially unlock Henry's old devices, which Lucy has been unable to access. This introduces a new method of investigation and suggests that the younger generation may succeed where the older one has failed. Alf's involvement could be key to uncovering Henry's location and the secrets he has hidden.