Chapter summaries Things we Left behind Lucy Score

Chapter 1 Summary – Funeral Burrito

⚠️ 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

Chapter 1 opens on a cold January morning. Sloane Walton sits on the porch swing of her Victorian home, sipping breakfast wine from her father’s mug. She is numb with grief, preparing for the funeral of her father, Simon Walton. Her mother, Karen, and sister, Maeve, join her, along with Chloe, Maeve’s fashion-obsessed twelve-year-old daughter. The family shares dark humor and a flask before heading to Knock ’Em Stiff funeral home.

At the visitation, Sloane stands in the receiving line, accepting condolences. Friends arrive, including Knox and Naomi Morgan, Nash and Lina, and others. Sloane notices a baby and feels a sudden pang of longing—her biological clock seems to kick in. She mentally assesses potential fathers. Then Lucian Rollins appears. Her mother embraces him warmly and tearfully thanks him for something he did for the family, which Sloane doesn’t understand.

Lucian escorts Sloane outside for air. He gives her his coat, buys her a breakfast burrito from the diner (a delivery he arranged by phone), and scolds her for not eating. Their conversation is tense; Sloane calls him “Lucifer.” He uses the old nickname “Pixie” and orders her to be strong for her mother. After he goes back inside, Sloane is left alone on the curb, furious yet touched, wondering what secret her mother shares with this man she both hates and secretly thrills to.

Key Events

  • Sloane sits on the porch swing with her mother and sister, drinking and reminiscing before the funeral.
  • The family’s dark humor (“Funeral Burrito”) sets the tone.
  • Chloe, the niece, emerges in a bold outfit; Sloane’s cat Milly Meow Meow wanders out.
  • At the funeral home, Sloane receives mourners and holds a baby, sparking a realization about wanting her own family.
  • Friends Knox, Nash, Naomi, and Lina offer support; Nash mentions Lucian in passing.
  • Lucian Rollins arrives. Karen Walton thanks him profusely, hinting at an unspoken debt.
  • Lucian takes Sloane outside, gives her his coat, and orders a breakfast burrito from the diner.
  • He critiques her self-care, calls her selfish, and uses the nickname “Pixie” to provoke her.
  • Sloane remains on the curb, holding his cigarette and the burrito, confused by her feelings.

Character Development

Sloane Walton – We see her vulnerability and strength. She hides her grief behind sarcasm and wine. The chapter shows her as a responsible librarian and daughter struggling with loss, but also as someone with unspoken desires (family, children). Her raw reaction to Lucian reveals a complex history.

Lucian Rollins – Introduced as wealthy, cold, and intensely focused. His actions—ordering her favourite food, giving his coat, calling her “Pixie”—hint at a deep, hidden connection. He is not purely villainous; he seems to care, even if his delivery is abrasive.

Karen Walton – Graceful in grief, she leads with love and determination. Her private gratitude to Lucian suggests he played a significant role in Simon’s final days.

Supporting family – Maeve (practical, tired), Chloe (bold, creative), and the cat add warmth and realism to the family dynamic.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Actually Evidenced

  • Grief and its rituals – The funeral, the wake, the dark humor, the alcohol. Grief is shown as both communal (family on the swing) and isolating (Sloane’s silent tears).
  • Unfinished business – The mystery of what Lucian did for the Waltons sets up a central secret. The old nickname “Pixie” and the pencil line on the kitchen door symbolize a history that is deliberately ignored.
  • Biological clock / desire for family – Sloane’s epiphany while holding the baby is a clear motif; she begins evaluating men as potential fathers.
  • Opposition and attraction – Sloane and Lucian’s push-pull. She hates him, yet her body responds; he antagonizes her but also takes care of her.
  • Home and memory – The porch swing is a symbol of family continuity. The house next door (Lucian’s) represents shared shadows and secrets.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 1 establishes the emotional stakes and central relationships. It introduces Sloane’s grief, her family, and her fraught connection with Lucian. The funeral serves as a catalyst for her to confront her own desires (children, future). The secret between Lucian and her mother creates immediate intrigue, driving the plot forward. The chapter also sets up the town of Knockemout as a close-knit community that rallies around the Waltons.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Sloane’s mother Karen thank Lucian so emotionally?
    At this point, we only know that Lucian did something significant for Simon or the family. Karen says “I’ll never be able to repay you for what you did for Simon. For me. For our family.” This remains a mystery that will likely be revealed later.

  2. What triggers Sloane’s sudden desire for a family?
    While holding her cousin Nessa’s baby, Sloane feels a gummy smile and a delighted giggle. The warm weight of the baby and the realization that she is not getting younger cause her biological clock to “kick in” at the funeral.

  3. How does Lucian’s behavior toward Sloane contrast with his reputation?
    Despite being described as cold and ruthless, Lucian arranges for Sloane’s favorite breakfast burrito to be delivered, lends her his coat, and pushes her to eat. He also uses the old nickname “Pixie,” suggesting a softer, more familiar side that he usually hides.

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