The Secret Book of Flora Lea

Hazel decides to go visit Imogene. On her way, she meets Harry. He offers to accompany her. On the train, Hazel and Harry talk about Hazel’s theory that Iris might be Flora. Harry admits that after his last letter, he went to London to find Hazel. However, he saw her kissing another man and left. Hazel tells him she wishes he had stayed and asks him about his life. When they arrive, they go to Imogene’s house. Iris answers the door, and Harry asks her about her age; she is too young to be Flora. Iris invites them both inside.

Hazel wakes to an empty house. She turns on the radio and learns that London has been bombed. When Bridie arrives home, she explains that their mother is alright, but Kelty and her mother were near an explosion. Kelty is in the hospital, but her mother was killed. Soon after, Hazel’s mother comes to see them in Binsey. Hazel insists on accompanying her back to London for the day so she can visit Kelty.

Hazel visits Imogene and Iris, questioning them about Flora. Imogene remembers Flora fondly but knows nothing about her disappearance. Imogene comments that she knew Hazel and Harry would be together, which Hazel denies. Imogene suggests finding the American nurse, Frances, and becomes agitated as she remembers the hardships of the war. On the train back home, Hazel and Harry discuss Hazel’s precarious life and her connection with Harry. Harry encourages Hazel to continue her search. She goes home alone, despite Harry’s entreaties to join her.

Hazel and her mother arrive in London, which is nearly unrecognizable from the damage of the war. Her mother explains that she wants Hazel to see how bad things have become so that Hazel doesn’t run away like Kelty did. Hazel invites her mother to come stay with them and Bridie, but her mother tells her she’s needed in London. At the hospital, Hazel sees wounded children and searches for Kelty. When she finds her, Kelty begs to come to Binsey. However, Kelty is forced to go stay with a distant aunt. Later, Hazel visits Flora. She tells Flora that they need to stay in Binsey where it is safe and can’t go to Whisperwood anymore. Hazel believes that magic has been taken from the world, and she needs to live in reality to keep everyone safe.

Hazel keeps Harry at a distance, despite her growing desire for him. She dreams about him and makes up stories about them in her head. Meanwhile, Flora is learning to read. On St. Frideswide’s Day, Hazel goes to the city to buy a telephone in case there is urgent news. Hazel, Flora, and Harry go for a picnic. As Flora dozes, Harry asks Hazel to tell him a story. She immediately becomes defensive and refuses to share Whisperwood with him, stating that it belongs to her and Flora alone. She runs away in anger. Harry follows and apologizes, and they begin kissing. Hazel stops when she remembers Flora and runs back to the picnic blanket, but Flora is gone.

While lying in bed together, Wren asks Peggy about different types of stories. Peggy tries to explain academic classification systems for stories like “beast tales” and “dream tales.” Peggy asks why he was arrested. He tells her there was a cheating scandal at his school for which he was blamed as part of a larger group, then exonerated. They talk about how fairy tales give people new perspectives, and Wren compares his love for Peggy to a fairy tale.

Aiden Davies questions the family about Flora. Hazel remembers how everyone had run around calling Flora’s name and feels guilty for her moment with Harry. As they explore, Hazel discovers Flora’s teddy bear at the riverside. She jumps into the water to try and find Flora, but Aiden pulls her out. Looking for another solution, she accuses Mrs. Marchman of taking Flora to replace Kelty. She goes to Mrs. Marchman to accuse her but immediately realizes the woman isn’t coherent or strong enough to steal a child. Then, Hazel remembers Frideswide’s well and worries Flora went inside. She calls everyone there, saying Flora may have gone looking for a magic world. They don’t believe her, and Hazel collapses from exhaustion.

Hazel dreams about Harry and wakes up beside Barnaby. They discuss Flora’s story and how much Hazel needs closure. Barnaby reminds her that they’re leaving for Paris later that day. They’re planning to take a train and then a ferry across the English Channel. That evening, Hazel and Barnaby prepare to board the train, but Hazel is thinking about going to America to confront Peggy. However, she knows that if she keeps chasing her childhood mystery, she will never be able to move on. Just as they’re about to board, Kelty arrives with an urgent message for Hazel: Peggy has arrived in London and wants to meet the following morning.

Hazel wakes up in an unfamiliar vehicle. After a moment, she remembers her sister’s disappearance. While she recuperates, the adults organize the search for Flora. To alleviate her guilt, Hazel takes all the stories she has written down and secretly brings them to the river, where she throws them away. After, she goes to the church and makes a vow at the altar: She will never tell a Whisperwood story or see Harry again if Flora is returned to her. She hears an owl crying out and returns to the cottage. The next day, she is taken to the hospital with pneumonia. Before they leave, she tells Harry she never wants to see him again.

Hazel wakes at the hospital after several days of unconsciousness. She promises her mother she will find her sister. Her mother says that the police believe Flora drowned, but Hazel disagrees. For the next few months, Hazel and her mother rent an apartment in Oxford while the police search the area and the river. Meanwhile, the war is raging and claiming the nation’s attention. They finally return to their home in London. Two years later, Hazel leaves for Cambridge University, then soon after goes to work at the bookshop. She never stops looking for Flora.