Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Where He Cannot Follow
Paid publication
Book #4	Book 4
Chapter	3
Free publication
Date posted	Mar 20, 2024
Word count	25,377
Points of view	Diana, Christine, Melissa, Bethany, Shahida, Frankie, Steph, Leigh, Ollie, Monica
AO3 Scribble Hub
Content warnings
Eating disorders, mentions of what Ollie did a couple of chapters ago.
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Chapter 39: Where He Cannot Follow is the third chapter of the fourth book of the series, and thirty-ninth chapter overall.

The title comes from a line of the ninth of Diana’s numbered poems, which is interpolated after the scene where Monica prepares to leave for Chelmsford.

The chapter contains 25 scenes all taking place on Saturday, 11 January 2020, and is bookended by poems by Diana.

Plot

Poem No. 12

Christine and Steph collect wood for setting up the fireplace, when she has a great idea to help with Beth’s backsliding

Melissa has settled into bad eating habits back in Manchester

The fire Christine and Steph set has gathered many people seeking warmth, when Monica receives a call from Diana

Liss finds Abby and Shahida waiting outside her Manchester apartment building

Diana with help from Chiamaka calls Monica

Monica plans her next moves and Christine plays the recording of Diana’s phonecall

Poem No. 9

Bethany continues to put herself down by comparison with Steph

Shahida and Abby return to Liss’ apartment for tea

Frankie is borrowed by Monica to help finding Diana

Bethany tries to admire herself in the mirror

Out shopping, Shahida and Abby notice Liss’ poor emotional regulation and returned bad eating habits and decide to put some food into her

Steph visits Bethany to mention the plan

Diana waits for Monica in Chelmsford and sees she has brought Frankie with her

Tabitha fills Leigh in on what they know about Diana

Frankie and Monica meet with Diana, who they persuade to come with them back to Dorley

Leigh meets Steph and Bethany in the shower block, and Steph notices something’s up

Ollie thinks with gratitude toward Harmony for letting him see the sun again

Bethany comes on to Steph after their shower

Christine organises everyone for the night out before the inevitable happens

Beth and Steph go to see Maria

Ollie is escorted back into the Hall

The Sha/bby/lissa polycule coalesces

After a feast of pot noodle, Beth and Steph fall asleep in Steph’s upstairs bedroom

Diana calls Chiamaka, while she, Frankie, and Monica are en route to Saint Almsworth

Poem No. 1

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All books: Overview, Welcome to Dorley Hall, Secrets of Dorley Hall, Enemies of Dorley Hall, Book 4

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