Contents
Chapter 5
Overview
In a flashback, Ellie meets her new math tutor, Noelle Donnelly, at home. Noelle’s odd manner and intrusive presence unsettle Ellie, who wishes Laurel would stay. The meeting establishes Noelle’s entry into Ellie’s life, a subtle but significant shift preceding Ellie’s disappearance.
Summary
In a past timeline, Ellie greets math tutor Noelle Donnelly at the family home. Noelle, recommended locally, arrives with an Irish or Scottish accent and a brisk, evaluative manner. Laurel prepares the dining room for the lesson and briefly hosts before withdrawing.
Noelle engages Ellie with small talk about the family cat, Teddy, then begins setting expectations for assessing Ellie’s strengths and weaknesses using old GCSE papers. Noelle’s physical presence, smell, and awkward humor make Ellie uncertain how to respond.
As Laurel quietly leaves, Ellie inwardly wishes her mother would stay, highlighting Ellie’s discomfort at being alone with the stranger. Noelle, taking control, asks Ellie to describe her specific concerns in math, signaling the start of tutoring—and Noelle’s deeper involvement in Ellie’s life.
Who Appears
- Ellie MackTeenager beginning her first math tutoring session; feels uneasy and wants Laurel to stay.
- Noelle DonnellyNewly hired math tutor; odd, intrusive presence; prepares assessments and takes charge of the session.
- Laurel MackEllie’s mother; sets up the lesson and quietly leaves, unintentionally isolating Ellie with Noelle.
- TeddyFamily cat; serves as a comforting buffer for Ellie during the awkward first meeting.