Part 5, Chapter 19

The story flashes back to the morning after Emma and Dexter’s first night together, in Emma’s room on Rankeillor Street, Edinburgh. As Emma wakes up, she finds Dexter sitting on her chair and pulling on his pants. It’s 9:20 am, and, after a few hours of sleep, she assumes he’s sneaking off. She thinks of how handsome he looks and hopes he'll stay. When she asks if he’s leaving without saying goodbye, Dexter, caught off guard, explains that he didn’t want to wake her and planned to leave a note. Emma comments that they are “ships that pass in the night” (288). While getting dressed, Dexter expresses how nice it was to spend time together, “after all this time” (288). He surprises Emma by calling her “Em.” He lies and says that he must leave with his parents that day. Emma is staying in Edinburgh for the summer. As Dexter kisses her, he regrets the lie and fakes a call to his mother, asking to postpone their departure to tomorrow. They grin at each other, and Emma asks him what they should do with the day.

Part 5, Chapter 19 Summary: “The Morning After: Saturday 15 July 1988”

Part 5, Chapter 20

Part 5, Chapter 20 Summary: “The First Anniversary, A Celebration: Friday 15 July 2005”

Part 5, Chapter 21

Part 5, Chapter 21 Summary: “Arthur’s Seat: Saturday 15 July 1988”

Part 5, Chapter 22

Part 5, Chapter 22 Summary: “The Second Anniversary, Unpacking: Saturday 15 July 2006”

Part 5, Chapter 23

Part 5, Chapter 23 Summary: “The Third Anniversary, Last Summer: Sunday 15 July 2007”

Part 5 Part 5 Analysis

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Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love

David Nicholls

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Part 1: “1988-1992, Early Twenties”

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Part 2: “1993-1995, Late Twenties”

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Part 3: “1996-2001, Early Thirties”

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Part 4: “2002-2005, Late Thirties”

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Part 5: “Three Anniversaries”

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Part 5: “Three Anniversaries”

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