Contents
Chapter 7
Overview
In a flashback, Ellie’s relationship with tutor Noelle deepens academically but becomes emotionally unsettling as Noelle oscillates between praise, gifts, and intrusive, bitter confessions. Disturbed, Ellie asks her mother to end the sessions but lies about her reasons. Laurel agrees, a small choice loaded with ominous implications.
Summary
In the winter leading to her GCSEs, Ellie continues weekly math sessions with Noelle Donnelly. Noelle proves an effective teacher and brings small gifts, mixing warmth with a slightly chilly demeanor. As Ellie’s grades rise, Noelle’s attention includes asking after Ellie’s boyfriend, Theo, and calling him “a keeper.”
By early March, Ellie notices a shift: Noelle arrives distracted, stalls over marking homework, and asks unsettling personal questions about the worst thing to happen to Ellie and things she was denied. Noelle contrasts Ellie’s privilege with her own disappointments, hinting at envy and regret before abruptly resuming the lesson.
At a later session, Noelle again veers into intrusive topics, dismissing university ambitions and describing her own credentials as useless, claiming she goes home “to nothing.” The oscillation between praise and bitterness heightens Ellie’s discomfort, making her wary of being alone with Noelle.
After the lesson, Ellie tells her mother she wants to stop tutoring. Instead of admitting Noelle’s behavior frightens her, Ellie cites practical reasons—having enough practice papers and needing time for geography. Laurel, mindful of cost and timing, agrees to cancel. Ellie feels relief but the concealment underscores a missed chance to address the danger directly.
Who Appears
- EllieTop student unsettled by Noelle’s mood swings and intrusive questions; asks to end tutoring but lies about her reasons.
- Noelle DonnellyEllie’s math tutor; effective yet erratic, gifting trinkets and sharing bitter, personal confessions that alarm Ellie.
- LaurelEllie’s mother; agrees to cancel Noelle’s sessions after Ellie requests it, unaware of Ellie’s true concerns.
- TheoEllie’s boyfriend; mentioned by Noelle, who calls him a keeper, but does not appear.