Adelaide: A Novel

Rory recalls seeing the news of Nathalie’s death online and calling his brother, who encouraged him to contact Adelaide and explain what was going on. Ever since, Adelaide has been by his side. Rory guesses that Adelaide must feel strange comforting him as he mourns “the love of his life” but is glad she’s with him (166). He tries to stay in touch with her when he goes to visit his brothers in Manchester. The brothers spend the weekend trying to distract Rory from his grief. When they hear about Adelaide, they remark on how good she seems for him. Rory agrees that she’s the best but secretly thinks that she isn’t as good as Nathalie.

Adelaide attends a work event. While there, Sam tells her that there might be a new position opening up if she’s interested in a promotion. Adelaide agrees to consider it. The event is tiring, but Adelaide feels like herself for the first time in weeks. She takes a tray of leftovers to Rory’s afterward. They eat and chat before Adelaide accidentally falls asleep on Rory’s bed. She wakes up in the middle of the cold, rainy night when Rory asks her to leave, saying that he sleeps better alone.