Eight hours before trivia night, Jane drives back into Pirriwee through heavy rain after dropping Ziggy at Jane's parents' house for the night. The arrangement was made months earlier because Madeline had enthusiastically planned for Jane to join her trivia table and, especially, to beat Nathan's team and Renata's table.

Jane had recently considered skipping the event because of the petition against Ziggy and the awkwardness of facing other parents. After sleeping well, however, Jane wakes with unexpected optimism. Miss Barnes has agreed to meet Jane before school on Monday, and Jane believes Ziggy's revelation that Max bullied Amabella will make the petition disappear and allow Max to get help.

Jane has not yet told Celeste about Max because Celeste says she is sick in bed, and Jane hesitates to burden her before Monday. Jane also recognizes that parents may react more gently when they learn the bully is Celeste and Perry's child, because wealth and beauty protect people in Pirriwee's social world.

Jane's optimism also comes from her dramatic new haircut and darker color, which make Jane feel pleased with her appearance for the first time since the assault by Saxon Banks damaged her self-image. Jane remembers her mother admiring the cut and briefly lets herself enjoy the simple happiness it gives her.

Although Jane plans to use her free time for chores, Jane is drawn instead to Blue Blues, which has begun to feel like home. Despite the downpour and Jane's forgotten umbrella, Jane decides she wants the warmth, coffee, and comfort of the café, as well as Tom's reaction to her haircut, so Jane opens the car door and runs through the rain.