The Story She Left Behind

Charlie leads Clara and Wynnie into his parents’ palatial home. He has the maid, Moira, bring them tea and snacks before giving Clara Bronwyn’s satchel and letter. He then shows them Callum’s study and tells them about his mother, Pippa, who’s staying at his summer house in Cumbria. Clara and Wynnie share their plans for their London stay. Shortly thereafter, they say their goodbyes; Charlie reminds Clara that she can contact him if she needs anything.

Outside, the fog has thickened. Clara and Wynnie struggle to make it back to their rented room. A man bumps into them, almost knocking Wynnie into the river. Wynnie starts coughing and complains of a burning throat and eyes. Clara digs in her bag for Wynnie’s medicine but realizes that she forgot it. They race back as fast as they can. In a panic, Clara administers Wynnie’s medicine. She silently chastises herself for not listening to Nat.

Clara settles Wynnie. She decides that they can’t visit the museum as planned due to the fog and Wynnie’s health. They have snacks and look through Bronwyn’s papers. Then, they unseal Bronwyn’s letter.

Charlie has Moira stay at the apartment while he plays a gig at the pub. On his way out, he can’t stop thinking about Bronwyn, Callum, Clara, and Wynnie. He decides to check in on Clara and Wynnie when he gets outside and discovers the thickening fog.

Clara and Wynnie read Bronwyn’s letter. The note implies that if Clara is reading it, Bronwyn is dead. She apologizes for leaving her but explains that she didn’t have a choice given the fire. She has attached her dictionary and wants Clara to do whatever she likes with her sequel. She closes the note by saying that she’s hidden herself in her secrets.

Clara and Wynnie discuss the note’s meaning while looking out the window. Then, they notice Charlie making his way to them. They let him in, and he expresses his worry. He guesses that the smog is due to dirty coal and warns Clara about exposing Wynnie, given her lungs. Before leaving, he plays them a song on his drum.

Clara and Wynnie spend the evening poring over Bronwyn’s dictionary. When Wynnie falls asleep, Clara stays up all night reading her mother’s words. In the morning, the smog has only worsened. Clara decides to take Wynnie to the museum anyway.

Clara and Wynnie barely make it to the museum in the smog. Upon arrival, they discover that the museum is closed. They head back toward their rental.

Clara and Wynnie get lost in the smog. Then, they bump into Charlie, who insists that they come to his apartment. Inside, Charlie calls the doctor, who urges Charlie to get Wynnie out of London. They make plans to leave for Cumbria immediately.

Charlie and Clara prepare for their trip. Then, Charlie finds Moira dancing to Callum’s records in his library. Charlie sympathizes with her and invokes her help getting to Cumbria.

The companions pack the car and head out. The smog is so thick that Clara has to walk in front of the car with a lantern. Charlie tries to get her to ride with Wynnie, but Clara insists on leading them.

Time passes indistinguishably as the group makes its way out of London. Hours later, the fog starts to thin. They stop outside the city for rest and food. Over food, Wynnie starts telling Moira and Charlie about Clara’s divorce and Nat’s money problems—much to Clara’s dismay. Afterward, Clara overhears Moira saying a word that her mother invented.

Clara asks Moira about the word she used. Moira explains that she found the satchel in Callum’s study after he died. She loved him like a father and only read the notebook because she thought it was his and she missed him. Clara is understanding.

A woman appears on the roadside and asks the group for a ride. Wynnie insists that the woman “has dark edges” (143), but Charlie agrees to drive her to her destination if she helps with directions. On the ride, the woman suddenly bursts out of the car and runs away. A horrified Clara realizes that she stole her purse and Bronwyn’s satchel.

Clara races after the woman, and Charlie chases after her. He begs her to stop when she throws herself into the icy river while attempting to get the woman. He helps her out and leads her back to the car, where he dries her off. Clara feels guilty for her behavior but furious about losing their passports and Bronwyn’s dictionary.

The group arrives at the Cumbria house at one o’clock in the morning. Dr. Finlay (the doctor whom Charlie called) is waiting for them. He examines Wynnie and Clara, gives them medicine, and gets them into bed.

Charlie stays up reading Child Genius. In the morning, he sits with Pippa and vaguely describes what’s going on. (He omits the details about finding Bronwyn’s papers in Callum’s study because Pippa is still grieving Callum.) Eventually, Wynnie joins them. Because Clara is still resting, Charlie takes Wynnie out for a walk. They talk about Emjie, The Middle Place, and the neighboring Esthwaite Water. Charlie points out the cottages on the family property, telling Wynnie about the aunts and cousins who live there.