Chapter 5

Summary

• Hazel is startled by an unexpected phone call from Tim who is concerned about her sudden departure from her job.
• Tim expresses how much he and the others will miss her but understands her need to move on to Sotheby's.
• Although Hazel feels guilty and considers confessing to Tim that she accidentally took a portfolio from the store, she refrains from saying anything.
• She reflects on the fast pace of change in London, with cultural and societal shifts.
• Hazel contemplates London's newfound optimism, no longer expecting another war.
• Hazel decides to investigate how a book that she finds could have possibly been written by an American author if it includes a story that she and her lost sister, Flora, created.
• She writes down a list of people who might know something about the book but realizes that none of the people who were around during their childhood could have known the story.
• Barnaby arrives unexpectedly at her flat, disrupting her investigation process.
• Initially forgetting about dinner plans with her mother and stepfather, Hazel opts to cancel the dinner after Barnaby's arrival.
• The narrative then switches to a flashback from 1957 where Hazel attends an auction at Sotheby's.
• Hazel describes the excitement of the auction and her passion for literature and author memorabilia.
• During the auction, she tries to bid for Virginia Woolf's silver engraved pen but is outbid by Barnaby.
• Days later, Barnaby visits the bookshop where Hazel works and apologizes for outbidding her, explaining that he initially wanted the pen for his father's collection.
• Despite Hazel's intentions to resist his charm, she finds herself drawn to Barnaby who is a professor with an aristocratic background.
• After a dinner date, Barnaby surprises Hazel by gifting her the pen he had won at the auction.
• Back in the present, Hazel prepares to share the discovery of the mysterious book with Barnaby.
• Hazel, fearful but hopeful, confides in Barnaby about her suspicions that her sister Flora may be alive and connected to the book.
• Hazel turns down the idea of contacting reporter Dorothy Bellamy, despite Barnaby's suggestion.
• Dorothy Bellamy is perceived as someone who romanticizes lost children in her articles and is not taken seriously by Hazel.
• Hazel expresses her frustration to Barnaby over the possibility that his theory of synchronicity can explain the book's similarity to her and Flora's story.
• Barnaby attempts to comfort Hazel as she grapples with the painful memories of her lost sister and the years of carrying guilt and loss.
• The chapter concludes with Hazel showing Barnaby the book in question, hoping to find a connection to her missing sister.