Chapter Twenty-six

Summary

• The protagonist is agreeing to pay half of her father's six-thousand-pound funeral bill, which empties her savings account.
• Her family members are contributing less, with each of her parents only able to give one thousand each and her uncle and aunt combined also providing a thousand.
• The protagonist is emotional about using her financial safety net but decides to move on with daily activities such as folding laundry.
• She receives an apology from her brother James who feels he couldn’t contribute more.
• She has an unexpected visitor at the door, Sam, who is her sister Jo's ex-boyfriend.
• There is an awkward conversation as Sam enters the home and they discuss Jo and their lives.
• Sam, an illustrator, mentions that he might be working with the protagonist's employer, OTP.
• They share a moment chatting about their mothers texting, and Sam mentions his mother's disapproval of Jo.
• Jo returns home, and the protagonist leaves Sam and Jo in the living room, hoping internally that they don't rekindle their relationship.
• Later, feeling the need to get out, the protagonist hires a bike and rides to the river, trying to distract herself with music and the environment.
• She contemplates her own happiness and whether her current state is just a distraction or genuine joy.