Chapter 21: A New World
Bridgette 'Bridie' Aberdeen sends Hazel Mersey Linden, Flora Lea Linden / Dorothy 'Dot' Bellamy, and her son Harry Aberdeen to explore Binsey on their first full day. For Hazel, the countryside is a complete revelation, a world away from London. Their tour starts humorously when Flora steps in a cow patty, marking their entry into rural life.
Harry leads them to the River Thames, which Hazel finds magical, describing its reflection as an "upside-down world." This prompts Flora to ask if it is their river, a reference to the secret world of Whisperwood, causing Hazel to hush her. Harry warns them of the river's dangers, establishing it as both beautiful and perilous. This exploration highlights The Power of Stories and Imagination, as the girls see their fictional land reflected in their new surroundings.
Their tour continues to St. Margaret’s Church, where Harry shares the local legend of Saint Frideswide, a princess who fled an unwanted marriage and found refuge in Binsey. He shows them the ancient well associated with her, said to have healing powers. Hazel is captivated by the story of a princess who chose sainthood over being a queen, a narrative of female agency that resonates deeply. The children's adventure is interrupted by the arrival of the Baldwin twins, local boys who bully them, calling them "vaccies," a derogatory term for evacuees. This incident introduces The Impact of War on a personal level. Just then, a girl with auburn braids, whom Hazel recognizes from the billeting hall, runs toward them, fleeing the twins. She bravely confronts the boys, and Harry steps in to de-escalate the conflict. The girl introduces herself as Kelty, and Hazel, seeing a kindred spirit and a modern-day Frideswide, invites her to come home with them.
Chapter 22: The Hag and the Owl
The children return to the Aberdeen cottage, a warm and welcoming home. Kelty tearfully explains her desperate situation, detailing the neglect and cruelty of her billet, Mrs. Marchman. Bridie listens with compassion, offering Kelty food and a bath. The brief peace is shattered when Mrs. Marchman—whom the children call "the hag"—arrives, furiously demanding Kelty’s return. Bridie stands her ground, but the situation escalates, and a constable is called. Despite Bridie's protests, the law is on Mrs. Marchman's side, and a devastated Kelty is forced to leave. The incident underscores the precariousness of the evacuees' situation and the limitations of kindness in the face of bureaucracy.
The next day, still unsettled, Hazel and Flora retreat into the woods and lose themselves for hours in their imaginary world of Whisperwood. They are eventually found by Kelty, who was sent by a frantic Bridie. Back at the cottage, Bridie gently reprimands the girls, explaining her responsibility for them. As she speaks, an owl hoots nearby, and Bridie remarks that an owl's visit means "someone here can see what is hidden," a moment of magical realism that Flora connects to their secret stories. Later, Harry confronts Hazel about their disappearance, his anger giving way to vulnerability. He reveals the source of his family's own pain, telling Hazel, "Mum and I have already lost someone." He confirms that people—like his father—do just disappear, deepening the mystery surrounding the Aberdeen family and forging a new, more serious bond between him and Hazel, rooted in the shared theme of Grief, Loss, and Hope.
Chapter 23: A Party and a Plan
The narrative jumps forward to March 1960. Hazel is at a lavish 14th birthday party for Tenny, the son of her employer, with her boyfriend, Barnaby Yardley. Barnaby is exceptionally attentive, and for a moment, Hazel feels perfectly content in her present life. Her best friend, Kelty, arrives with her husband, Fergus. Hazel immediately pulls Kelty into an empty sunroom to discuss a secret plan: she needs to go to St. Ives, Cornwall, for two days.
Before Hazel can explain why, Kelty makes a confession. Acting on Hazel's behalf, she sent a telegram to the American author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea. The message was blunt: "Where did you find this story. Stop. It is life and death. Stop." She included Hazel's address, hoping to force a response. Hazel is initially shocked by Kelty's impulsiveness but quickly forgives her, recognizing it as an act of love and loyalty. As their husbands interrupt their private conversation, Kelty gives Hazel a questioning look. In response, Hazel silently mouths the name "Harry," revealing that her long-lost childhood friend is the reason for the urgent trip to Cornwall, connecting the present-day mystery directly back to the events in Binsey.
Chapter 24: Promises and Partings
Back in September 1939, life in Binsey settles into a routine. A letter from their mother, Camellia Linden, arrives, promising a visit in three weeks. Hazel struggles with her schoolwork and her burgeoning, confusing feelings for Harry. During a frustrating math lesson, she lashes out at him, pushing away his offer of help because she is afraid of her own vulnerability. That night, her turmoil is compounded when Kelty appears at her window. Inspired by the story of Saint Frideswide, Kelty has decided to run away from Mrs. Marchman and return to her mother in London. She makes Hazel promise not to tell anyone, a vow that weighs heavily on Hazel.
The next morning, burdened by her secret, Hazel confesses to Bridie about the bullying she endures at school and the cruel town gossip about Bridie's missing husband. Bridie, in an act of profound kindness, agrees to homeschool Hazel. This deepens Hazel's trust in her, and she decides to break her promise to Kelty, telling Bridie about her friend's escape out of fear for her safety. Bridie promises to ensure Kelty is safe. Soon after, their mother arrives for her visit. Hazel observes that the war has changed her; she is tense, subdued, and her laughter sounds forced. The visit is happy but tinged with this new sadness. When her mother leaves, Hazel feels a surprising sense of contentment, realizing she doesn't want to leave Binsey yet, a testament to the strong Sisterhood and Family Bonds she has formed with the Aberdeens.
Chapter 25: The Past Catches Up
In the 1960 timeline, Hazel and Kelty prepare for their trip to St. Ives. Hazel is anxious, worried about how seeing Harry will affect her relationship with Barnaby and their upcoming trip to Paris. Kelty astutely suggests Hazel is more afraid that Harry won't live up to the idealized version she holds in her memory. Hazel defensively insists the trip is solely about finding answers for Flora. Their conversation is interrupted by a phone call that shatters Hazel's carefully constructed life. It is Lord Arthur Dickson from Sotheby's, her new employer. He has seen the police report about the items she stole from Hogan's and informs her that her job is now at risk.
The call ends abruptly, leaving Hazel reeling from the consequences of her desperate actions. The weight of her choices—risking her career and her relationship for a quest rooted in a painful past—crashes down on her. "This bloody well better be worth it," she says, her frustration and fear palpable. The chapter concludes with a crucial piece of foreshadowing, revealing that Hazel's impending reunion with Harry in St. Ives will not be the first time they have communicated since their childhood in Binsey, adding another layer to the theme of Truth, Memory, and Secrets.
Character Development
Hazel's journey through these chapters is marked by growth and conflict. In the past, she grapples with confusing feelings for Harry and takes on a protective role towards Flora and Kelty. In the present, her quest for truth puts her career and relationship at risk.
- Hazel Linden: Develops a crush on Harry, leading to emotional outbursts. She also takes on a more mature, protective role. In the present, she is forced to confront the consequences of her actions.
- Harry Aberdeen: Established as a kind guide and storyteller. His character gains depth when he reveals the trauma of his father's disappearance.
- Bridie Aberdeen: Revealed as a compassionate and resilient figure who fiercely protects the children in her care.
- Kelty: Introduced as a brave girl who refuses to be a victim. As an adult, she remains Hazel's loyal best friend.
- Camellia Linden: Her brief appearance shows the psychological impact of the war.
Themes & Symbols
Several key themes emerge in these chapters, shaping the narrative and character development.
- The Power of Stories and Imagination: Harry's story of Saint Frideswide inspires Kelty, and Whisperwood is a coping mechanism for Hazel and Flora.
- Truth, Memory, and Secrets: The narrative is driven by secrets, including Whisperwood and Harry's father's disappearance.
- The Impact of War: The war's effects are shown through personal anxieties and the change in Camellia's demeanor.
- Sisterhood and Family Bonds: The bond between Hazel and Flora is central, expanded to include Kelty and the Aberdeens.
- The River: The River Thames symbolizes a boundary, a connection to London, a source of magic, and potential danger.
Key Quotes
"Mum and I have already lost someone."
Harry's vulnerability shines through as he reveals the pain of his father's disappearance. This moment deepens his connection with Hazel, rooted in shared grief and loss.
"This bloody well better be worth it."
Hazel's frustration and fear are palpable as she faces the consequences of her actions. This quote underscores the high stakes of her quest and the sacrifices she is willing to make.
Significance
These chapters are foundational, establishing the world of Binsey and the core relationships. The introduction of the Saint Frideswide legend influences the plot, and the 1960 timeline escalates the stakes. Hazel's quest threatens her future, creating dramatic irony and suspense.