Content Warning: This section of the guide describes the novel’s graphic depictions of physical abuse, torture, and violent death. There are also references to infertility and death by suicide.

Germany, October 1944

Eloise describes four women handcuffed together: herself, Chloe, Mary, and Wendy. Eloise wonders why they were allowed to shower and don clean clothes before they were transferred to another prison. The secretary at the prison they just left withheld information about their next stop, but she gave them more food than they had seen in months. Chloe and Eloise are both SOE operatives. They try to enjoy the train ride while wondering where they are going.

Manchester, England, 1970

Charlotte, a schoolteacher, has a beach picnic with her dad Noah and their dog Wrigley. Today would have been the 54th birthday of her mother, Geraldine. It is the first birthday since her mom’s death, and both Charlotte and Noah are struggling emotionally.

Noah tells Charlotte that he was recently looking at a photo of himself and his wife that was taken in 1941, shortly after he learned that his entire family was killed in the Liverpool Blitz. Geraldine helped Noah to process the death of his family.