Chapter 5: Arrival at the Hotel du Lac

⚠️ 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

Lo Blacklock arrives by chauffeured car at the Grand Hotel du Lac on Lake Geneva, a fairy-tale castle turned luxury hotel. She is greeted by uniformed staff who whisk away her luggage and address her by name. Inside, she checks in with Cecile Lacombe and learns that the Leidmann Group did not upgrade her flight—a mystery she sets aside. While enjoying coffee and patisseries in her opulent suite (Monte Rosa), she texts her husband Judah a photo of the Alpine view, deciding not to call because of the time difference and household chaos.

Later, while finishing afternoon tea, Lo overhears a familiar voice in the lobby. She finds Ben Howard, her ex-boyfriend from a traumatic period in her life. They exchange awkward pleasantries; Ben is now a travel writer with a much younger girlfriend. He brings up Lo’s book, Dark Waters, and apologizes for not understanding how much she suffered after the events it describes. Lo accepts the apology but is relieved to end the conversation and retreat to dress for the evening’s drinks reception.

Key Events

Lo’s first stunning view of the hotel as the car rounds Lake Geneva.
The formal welcome by bellhops and concierge staff who call her by name.
Check‑in with Cecile Lacombe; Lo asks about the mystery flight upgrade.
Lo settles into Suite Monte Rosa, marveling at its luxury and the lake‑and‑Alps view.
She texts Judah a photo and resists calling home to avoid disrupting the morning routine.
Lo overhears Ben Howard’s voice in the lobby and decides to confront the encounter.
Ben apologizes for his past behavior, referencing Lo’s book and her trauma.
They discuss the evening’s cocktail‑attire dress code and part amicably.

Character Development

Lo Blacklock: Reveals her practical, slightly anxious nature (she dislikes others handling her luggage). Her internal monologue shows self‑awareness about her “judgy” thoughts and her guilt over pausing her journalism career. The encounter with Ben forces her to revisit painful memories but also demonstrates her ability to accept an imperfect apology and move forward.
Ben Howard: Previously involved in Lo’s traumatic past, he now appears older and less ambitious than he once dreamed. His apology, though brief, shows growth and a willingness to acknowledge his part in harming Lo.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Wealth and Discomfort: The hotel’s extreme luxury makes Lo uneasy. She feels both grateful and out of place, a tension that recurs throughout the novel.
The Unreliable Past: Ben’s apology—and Lo’s reaction—underscore how memories of trauma can be disputed or minimized by others. The chapter hints that Lo’s past is not fully resolved.
Motherhood Versus Career: Lo’s text to Judah and her decision not to call reflect the pull between domestic responsibilities and her professional opportunity.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter establishes the setting and introduces a key figure from Lo’s past, raising the emotional stakes. Ben’s presence connects the present luxury trip to the traumatic events that inspired Lo’s book, Dark Waters. The mystery of the flight upgrade plants a small puzzle that may have larger implications. Lo’s discomfort with the hotel’s opulence suggests she is an outsider in this world of wealth, setting up class tensions that may drive future conflict.

Study Questions and Answers

What does Lo’s reaction to being addressed by name before introducing herself reveal about her character?
Lo feels unsettled, indicating she dislikes being tracked or presumed upon. It shows her practical, slightly guarded nature and a wariness of the hotel’s over‑attentive service.
Why does Lo decide not to phone Judah and the boys immediately after arriving?
She calculates that calling during the busy morning routine would stress Judah, upset the children, and leave her feeling guilty. This decision highlights her consideration for her family’s schedule and her own emotional fragility.
How does Ben’s apology affect Lo’s attitude toward him by the end of the chapter?
Lo accepts the apology but feels relief when the conversation ends. She acknowledges that Ben was a minor player in her larger trauma and chooses to move forward rather than dwell on past grievances.