Contents
The Next Day: Hannah
Overview
On the boat back to the mainland, Hannah processes that Will effectively caused her sister Alice’s death and that his murderer inadvertently avenged her. She and Charlie ride home in silence, their marriage shaken by the weekend’s revelations. Hannah regrets not confronting Will herself but accepts a bitter answer to her long-held question.
Summary
Hannah and Charlie depart the island by boat the morning after the wedding disaster. As the sun breaks over the water, Hannah pointedly turns away from the island, which she imagines as a looming threat she is glad to leave behind.
Hannah reflects on her discovery the previous night: that Will was effectively responsible for her sister Alice’s death. The realization dwarfs her seasickness and leaves her emotionally exhausted. She and Charlie barely speak, each replaying their last conversation before everything unraveled.
Looking ahead, Hannah acknowledges they must confront the damage to their marriage once home. Though she did not get to confront Will, she now has the answer she has sought since Alice died and feels that Will’s killer avenged her sister. She is only sorry she did not deliver the blow herself.
Who Appears
- HannahLeaves the island with Charlie; accepts Will’s role in Alice’s death; feels grimly avenged and fears for her marriage.
- CharlieTravels back with Hannah in strained silence; their relationship remains unsettled after the weekend’s events.
- WillDead groom; Hannah concludes he effectively caused Alice’s death and was avenged by his own murder.
- AliceHannah’s late sister; her death is linked, in Hannah’s mind, to Will’s actions.