Chapter 27

Noelle Donnelly speaks directly, admitting she has done “something bad,” then explains her childhood in Ireland: strict, high-achieving parents, four difficult brothers, and a deceased sister, Michaela, whose memory eclipsed Noelle. Despite academic success, she felt unseen and unsupported.

Noelle moves to London after earning advanced maths degrees. She drifts through finance and a magazine job, then retrains as a teacher but lacks the confidence to manage a classroom. She becomes a successful private tutor, remains socially isolated, and, into her forties, is still a virgin.

Reading Floyd Dunn’s book Bad at Maths in the TES captivates her with its humor and his author photo. Her admiration intensifies into a focused fixation, and she plans to meet him at an Education Show signing, preparing carefully for the encounter.

At the signing, Noelle and Floyd talk easily. He signs her well-used copy, laughs at her jokes, and she confirms he is American while he notes her Irishness. As he prepares to leave, they discover a striking coincidence: both live in Stroud Green, North London, just roads apart.

Noelle departs, elated by the connection. The chapter ends with her noting that two weeks later their paths crossed again, signaling the start of their relationship and its consequences.