Chapter 54
Summary
- Hazel wakes up two weeks after Imogene Mulroney's arrest, which had brought significant revelations.
- During this period, Hazel, her sister Dot (formerly Flora), and their mother spent time reconnecting and reminiscing about the past.
- They help Dot recover lost childhood memories, while sadness lingers due to the time lost with Dot as Flora.
- Hazel struggles with resentment towards the aunt who took Dot away and caused their family pain.
- Dot grapples with reconciling her happy memories with the underlying betrayal of being kidnapped as a child.
- Hazel writes an article for Vanity Fair about her experiences, sharing the pain and memories with her family.
- While reconnecting with her family helps Hazel, she also copes with missing a figure named Barnaby and reflecting on her love life, including her feelings for two men, Barnaby and Harry.
- Hazel deliberates on her feelings and relationship choices, recognizing the need to make decisions about her love life.
- Despite financial concerns, Hazel returns to work at Hogan's Rare Book Shoppe, where she is welcomed back.
- At the book shop, Hazel is positioned as indispensable when she instantly gets to work organizing and bringing things back to order.
- A job applicant is turned away as Hazel's return fills the position she was seeking.
- Hazel is described as 'an unforeseen happenstance,' showing her sudden but crucial impact on the bookshop's operations.
- Illustrator Pauline Baynes expresses interest in creating new illustrations for Hazel's Whisperwood, increasing its value.
- Hazel enjoys a moment of reflection on how the discovery of Whisperwood has changed her life.
- As Hazel considers closing the bookshop early, Harry arrives, looking for 'something rare'—implying that he is seeking Hazel.
- Hazel and Harry have a meaningful encounter, suggesting that Hazel may have already made a choice about her heart's direction.