Chapter 7

Summary

• Barnaby admires the cover of a book Hazel has found, but becomes concerned when he notices the original illustrations nearby.
• Hazel admits that she took the illustrations from the shop without her employers Edwin and Tim knowing.
• Barnaby suggests they return the illustrations immediately to avoid trouble, but Hazel wants to wait until the morning.
• Hazel is fraught with guilt and confusion, while Barnaby remains calm and suggests practical steps to take.
• Barnaby checks Hazel's health out of worry and urges her to return the illustrations, citing the risk of ending up in prison.
• The couple discuss Hazel's hesitance towards marriage and moving in together, affected by Barnaby's past heartbreak.
• Barnaby is surprised to find that the book contains a story Hazel had made up and told to Flora, wondering how that could happen.
• Hazel and Barnaby accidentally damage two of the original illustrations when Barnaby's drink spills across the table.
• While they assess the damage, a police officer knocks on their front door, sending Hazel into a panic.
• Barnaby reassures Hazel that their friend Edwin would understand the situation but Hazel fears the consequences.
• Hazel is faced with the decision to confess to the police officer or to hide the illustrations and the book in a secret compartment in the hutch.
• She struggles with the choice between coming clean immediately or finding answers to the mystery of the book's existence before getting caught.