Chapter 35: Summer Journal — A Shift in Loyalties
⚠️ 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 consists of six journal entries spanning August 9–15, 2010. After a few days away from The Manor with her parents, the narrator returns to find her best friend Frankie has formed a new bond with an older, worldly girl named Cora, who works as a cleaner for Frankie’s grandparents. The narrator feels excluded and jealous as Frankie and Cora discuss sex, drugs, and raves. Meanwhile, the narrator meets a kind local boy, Jake, at the beach and begins texting him. Frankie disapproves of the match and makes dismissive comments. On her way out of The Manor, the narrator is confronted by Hugo, who taunts her about her exclusion and sexually insults her. The narrator wishes she had never introduced Cora to Frankie and feels increasingly isolated.
Key Events
- The narrator swims at the beach and connects with Jake, who gently adjusts her position on his bodyboard. She feels a pleasant tingle from his touch.
- Her mother comments that Jake is “cute” and seems surprised her daughter would hang out at the caravan park, prompting the narrator to wonder about her mother’s view of her.
- Returning to The Manor, the narrator finds Frankie on the tennis court with Cora, who is topless, smoking, and wearing silver bangles. Frankie acts surprised and dismissive.
- Cora reveals she is an aspiring artist and asks Frankie to ask Grandfa to help sell her paintings. Frankie deflects.
- Over the next few days, Cora is present every afternoon. The narrator feels like a “loser virgin” compared to Cora and Frankie’s sexual discussions.
- The narrator texts Jake to meet at the beach. Frankie grabs the phone, reads the messages, and belittles Jake, calling him “Fish and chips” and telling the narrator she could do better.
- Cora refers to the narrator and Frankie as “kids,” which feels patronizing. The narrator wishes Cora would “fuck off.”
- Hugo corners the narrator alone, sneering that she is no longer Frankie’s favorite and calling her a “frigid little bitch” for not being sexually available.
Character Development
The Narrator (Sparrow): The journal entries show a teenage girl caught between two worlds—her parents’ ordinary caravan life and the privileged, wild atmosphere of The Manor. She is insecure, especially about her sexual inexperience, and deeply hurt by Frankie’s shifting attention. Her encounter with Hugo has left her feeling “grubby,” but Jake’s gentleness offers a contrast. Her mother’s comment makes her question her own worth.
Frankie: Frankie’s behavior reveals a possessive side. She rapidly bonds with Cora, a more glamorous and older figure, and excludes her longtime friend. She mocks the narrator’s interest in Jake and physically grabs her phone, showing a controlling streak. Her promise to help Cora with Grandfa seems hollow, suggesting she uses people for her own entertainment.
Cora: The new addition is presented as a manipulative, self-interested adult who feigns interest in the teenagers only to gain access to Frankie’s wealthy family. Her patronage and the “you kids” attitude underline her condescension.
Hugo: His verbal abuse reaffirms his role as a predator. He exploits the narrator’s fall from grace to humiliate her and reinforce the sexual power dynamics that have already traumatized her.
Jake (mentioned): Though not present for most of the chapter, Jake represents a kind, normal, local boy—the polar opposite of the toxic Manor crowd. The narrator is drawn to his gentle nature and smiles, despite Frankie’s disapproval.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Class and Social Divide: The narrator’s mother’s comment—“it just seems such a different world”—underscores the gap between the caravan park and The Manor. Frankie’s decision to stay on the tennis court rather than the pool (because Cora “prefers” it) also highlights the performance of status. Cora’s art aspirations and her reliance on Grandfa’s rich contacts illustrate the transactional nature of social climbing.
- Jealousy and Exclusivity: Frankie deliberately excludes her friend by choosing a location Cora likes and by saying “we’ve only got two sunbeds.” The narrator records feeling “jelly” and “pissed off.” Frankie’s disapproval of Jake is laced with territorial jealousy.
- Sexual Coercion and Shame: The shadow of Hugo’s assault (the pool house incident) persists. The narrator’s freeze when Jake touches her, then relief at his gentleness, shows the lasting impact. Hugo’s taunt “frigid little bitch” reinforces the pressure on her to submit or be shamed.
- Adolescent Identity and Belonging: The narrator struggles with her self-image, feeling like a “total loser virgin.” She wonders what her mother sees in her, and whether she truly belongs at The Manor.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the backstory. It shows the exact moment when the friendship between the narrator and Frankie begins to fracture, opening the door for Cora—a character who may have a deeper link to the present-day crime. It also solidifies Hugo’s role as a persistent abuser and establishes Jake as a sympathetic figure. The journal format gives raw, unfiltered insight into the narrator’s emotional state, which will be crucial for understanding her motives later in the novel.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does the narrator feel jealous of Cora, and how does Frankie contribute to that feeling?
Answer: The narrator feels jealous because Cora monopolizes Frankie’s attention and shares experiences (sex, drugs, raves) that the narrator cannot match. Frankie actively excludes her by only having two sunbeds, ignoring her suggestions to use the pool, and grabbing her phone to read private texts. Frankie’s enthusiasm for Cora’s company makes the narrator feel replaced.
2. What does Hugo’s comment to the narrator reveal about his character and the power dynamics at The Manor?
Answer: Hugo’s comment—calling her a “boring frigid little bitch” and telling her to “stick to the Speedo”—shows he uses sexual humiliation to assert dominance. He targets the narrator because she is vulnerable and no longer protected by Frankie. The scene demonstrates that The Manor’s atmosphere enables predatory behavior, especially against girls who are socially isolated.
3. In what way does the narrator’s mother’s remark (“it just seems such a different world”) foreshadow larger themes in the novel?
Answer: Her mother’s vague comment hints at class disparities between the narrator’s family and the wealthy guests at The Manor. It reinforces the idea that the narrator is an outsider trying to fit in, and that the divide will eventually lead to conflict. This theme of belonging versus otherness is central to the mystery of what happened during The Midnight Feast.