Chapter 34

Summary

• Hazel began writing down the Whisperwood stories in school notebooks after Imbolc, hiding them in her dresser.
• A late February snowstorm kept Hazel and her family indoors, with Hazel continuing to write her stories.
• Hazel describes finding magical doors in the woodlands, hinting at undiscovered personal potentials.
• Her stories evolved, blending day-to-day activities with magical elements, intertwining reality with fantasy.
• On May 20, Hazel and Flora encounter a chaotic scene of soldiers and tents, learning they're part of the Dunkirk evacuation.
• Harry expresses his intent to join the military, causing Hazel to fear the potential loss of her friend.
• Flora, confused, thinks their father, who had died, might be among the soldiers, leading to an emotional moment by the river.
• Hazel recognizes the damage that her fantastical stories may have caused Flora.
• The nurses find them by the river, misunderstand the situation, and assure Flora their father isn't among the soldiers.
• The military camp eventually disappears, and a return to a carefree life momentarily masks the harshness of the outside war.
• Hazel and Flora enjoy simple pleasures and education in nature, but Hazel grapples with the contrast to the war elsewhere.
• Hazel's thoughts reveal her inability to imagine leaving this life, especially Harry, whose role in her life is undefined.
• Hazel and Flora celebrate Flora's sixth birthday with a trip to Whisperwood, but Hazel uses her own voice in their fantasy for the first time.
• Hazel's mother returns, looking troubled, and delivers the news that their neighbor's son has died in battle.
• They can't return to London due to the dangers, leading to Hazel running off and doubting the existence of magic.
• Hazel lies outside at night, unable to sleep, pondering the significance of the stars amid her worries about bombings.
• Harry joins Hazel, and they share a tender moment discussing the stars, their meaning, and personal loss.
• Hazel and Harry's shared kiss provides Hazel some comfort, but her desire for another kiss goes unvoiced due to her fear.