Chapter 12

Summary

• Hazel enters Hogan's Rare Book Shoppe, feels anxious, and ignores the police inspectors questioning Poppy at the counter.
• She meets Tim and Edwin in the back room, both working over a ledger at a table.
• Hazel confesses to stealing a parcel from the shop, to the shock of Edwin and Tim.
• Edwin contemplates whether to be lenient or strict with her while Hazel offers to explain her actions.
• The police are already in the store, so Hazel prepares to face the consequences of her confession.
• Despite Hazel's offer to explain, Edwin gets ready to inform Chief Inspector Norman about her theft.
• Tim tries to mitigate the situation, reminding Edwin that Hazel deserves a chance to explain.
• Hazel admits to taking the item impulsively and then reveals the distressing experiences that led her to it.
• Edwin is moved to tears by Hazel's story and reflects on the shared suffering and loss during the war.
• Edwin decides not to press charges but tells Hazel she must own the stolen parcel and pay for it.
• Edwin provides Hazel with a publishing receipt that contains a potentially crucial contact number for her.
• Hazel leaves with the publishing receipt, calculates the time difference, and plans to call the American author, Peggy Andrews.
• Back home, Hazel ignores pleas from a journalist, Dorothy Bellamy, to discuss her lost sister.
• She keeps herself busy with chores until she can call Peggy Andrews in Massachusetts.
• Hazel calls Peggy, who seems surprised at the mention of the original Whisperwood illustrations.
• As Hazel probes about the story's origins, Peggy abruptly dismisses it as her own work and cuts the call short, leaving Hazel frustrated and disconnected.