In heavy rain, Nora steps into a newsagent eight hours before her planned suicide. A National Geographic cover of a black hole intensifies her sense of collapse, and the magazine triggers memories of her father’s subscription, an article on Svalbard, and her brief ambition—encouraged by Mrs Elm—to become a glaciologist.

Nora notices Ravi, her brother Joe’s friend and former bandmate, and asks about Joe. Ravi says Joe visited and seems depressed, burdened by money troubles and the loss of their band’s prospects. Old resentments flare as Ravi blames Nora’s exit from The Labyrinths for derailing a record deal and their future, while Nora cites panic attacks and her then-engagement to Dan and her offer to keep writing songs. The argument leaves Nora shaken as Ravi departs.

Still reeling, Nora’s thoughts ricochet when the shop assistant recognizes her as Kerry-Anne from school. Kerry-Anne recalls Nora’s past as a star swimmer once tipped for the Olympics, then probes about Nora’s career, relationship status, and children. Nora, uneasy and self-conscious, admits she is between things and uncertain about motherhood, haunted by fears of worsening depression.

As Kerry-Anne casually boasts about her own domestic completeness and asks about Nora staying in Bedford, Nora mentions returning for her ill mother. The conversation reinforces Nora’s isolation and perceived failures. Despite the rain, she escapes the shop, wishing for doors she could walk through to leave everything behind.