Chapter 24

Summary

• The chapter describes a scene from a coffee shop, giving a detailed view of the surroundings and introducing a character named Nisha, who had the afternoon off and is surveilling the back of a printwork's yard.
• Nisha imagines various scenarios for confronting a thief who stole her shoes; she contemplates calling the police or taking matters into her own hands but ultimately discards these ideas due to various complications.
• Another character, Sam, arrives at work and avoids her colleague Simon, instead heading to the ladies' room to check her appearance before facing her co-workers.
• Sam notices a group of men laughing at something on a phone and feels relieved that her cubicle is not occupied by an unwelcome visitor.
• Sam encounters Joel alone in the drivers' office by the loading bay, where they share a brief and awkward interaction regarding boxing gloves.
• Driven by an emotional impulse, Sam puts on boxing gloves and fiercely punches a hanging punchbag until she is steadied by Joel, who starts to worry about each powerful punch she makes.
• After an intense and cathartic boxing session, Sam and Joel share a moment of mutual concern about her potentially leaving her job, which ultimately leads to a sudden and passionate kiss.
• Their kiss is inadvertently witnessed by Ted, who is stunned and disappointed by the sight, causing Sam to flee in embarrassment.
• Back at her desk, Sam grapples with her actions and the overwhelming emotions she feels after the kiss with Joel, particularly as she tries to come to terms with what their interaction means for her.
• The situation escalates when an American woman abruptly confronts Sam in her office, loudly accusing her of stealing her shoes.