Pip receives an SOS text and immediately understands it as a crisis involving Lauren. Pip buys a large chocolate bar on the way to Lauren’s house, where Cara has also arrived with tissues, snacks, dip, and face masks for a post-break-up rescue mission.

Lauren is devastated because Tom ended their relationship by text. Pip and Cara confiscate Lauren’s phone, comfort Lauren, mock Tom’s flaws, and deliberately turn Lauren’s sadness into laughter. Lauren worries that she neglected her friends while dating Tom and will now be a third wheel, but Cara and Pip reassure Lauren that their friendship group still includes Lauren equally.

The chapter pauses to show Pip’s deeper bond with Cara. Pip remembers how Cara befriended Pip when they were six, how Pip supported Cara through Cara’s mother’s illness and death, and how Pip was there when Cara came out. The Ward family is shown as Pip’s second family, with Elliot Ward as both Pip’s teacher and a father figure, and Naomi Ward as part of that household.

After films and jokes help Lauren begin recovering, Cara asks Pip whether Pip has visited Ravi Singh. Pip says she has and plans to interview Ravi again the next day for her EPQ. Lauren comments that Pip has already begun the project, while Cara points out that Pip will likely want to interview Naomi soon.

Cara agrees to warn Naomi but asks Pip to be gentle because Naomi still becomes upset about Sal Singh, who had been one of Naomi’s closest friends. Pip assures Cara that Pip will handle the interview carefully. Lauren then worries what people will think if they see Pip going into Ravi Singh’s house, but Pip dismisses the concern, showing that Pip is willing to ignore local judgment to pursue the truth.