Chapter 48

Summary

• Hazel uses the house phone at The Perch to urgently call her mother to meet her in Binsey, hinting that she has found Flora, her lost sister.
• Her mother is initially busy but, upon hearing the news, reacts with a mix of desperation and hope.
• When Hazel returns to Dot—to whom she refers to as Flora—she finds her sister in a daze, looking out at the river.
• Hazel sits with Dot and they converse about the past, recounting memories of their childhood and family.
• Dot is conflicted, feeling a mix of familiarity and confusion toward the memories Hazel shares.
• Dot questions how they are reconnecting, leading Hazel to describe the arrival of a mysterious book, "Whisperwood and the River of Stars," which Hazel initially thought Dot wrote.
• Hazel explains to Dot the significance of the book and the illustrations connected to their past.
• Dot learns from Hazel that her aunt, Imogene, was the nurse who allegedly took her away. This revelation is shocking and hard to believe for Dot.
• Their mother arrives at The Perch, overcome with emotion upon seeing Dot, and embraces her, even though Dot doesn't fully remember her yet.
• Mum reassures Dot that their family has been waiting for her and is ready to share their story and love with her.
• Dot expresses the need to see her current family and speak with her aunt Imogene to understand what has happened to her.
• Hazel promises not to notify the police inspector, Aiden Davies, until the following day to give Dot time with Imogene.
• As Dot leaves to seek answers, Hazel and Mum are left with concern but Hazel holds onto hope that the book "Whisperwood" is key to solving the mystery of their lost sister.