How the Penguins Saved Veronica

Back at the research center, Terry tends to the bird bite and allows Veronica to rest. Later that afternoon, Veronica announces a change of plans, suggesting that she is ready to leave. Mike then becomes so patronizing about Veronica having learned her lesson that she changes course and decides to stay. She also receives an email from Eileen via Terry. Her housekeeper wants reassurance that she’s all right and asks for an occasional message back. Then, Terry posts a photo of Veronica on her blog and talks about her plucky spirit to make such an adventure at 86.

In England, Patrick receives an email from Terry, whom he assumes is male, with a link showing Veronica among the penguins. He is impressed by his grandmother and startled to see her smiling in the photo. Patrick thinks, “I’ve missed a hell of a lot of Granny V’s life. Will I ever catch up with her properly? Is it too late? What is she like really?” (116). He then begins to speculate about his own absent father.

His reverie is broken by a call from Eileen. She tells him about Veronica’s penguin bite and that Veronica is now sending short emails via Terry. Eileen says that it’s important for Veronica to share her thoughts and feelings. Otherwise, dementia might set in. “She’s needing more in the way of family and friends, to stop her getting worse. That’s why I’m so very glad she’s got you now, Patrick. And the nice Terry man. And penguins” (119).

Meanwhile, Veronica is settling into a routine among the scientists. They take turns cooking reconstituted, dehydrated meals that Veronica finds unpleasant. She also complains about their tea, so she relies on her private supply of Darjeeling tea bags. One day, Terry talks about her educational background, and Veronica marvels at how young women are able to pursue their interests. That wasn’t the case in her youth. During their walk to the colony, the two women are struck, as always, by the beauty of the landscape and the liveliness of the penguins.

Veronica witnesses a chick being hatched. Terry talks about her blog and explains that social media can have a powerful influence in changing people’s minds for the better. Terry abruptly asks why Veronica isn’t leaving her fortune to her family, and the old woman explains about her recently acquired grandson, who hardly seems deserving. Terry points out that maybe Patrick had a difficult life that made him rely on drugs to get through the pain. Veronica has never considered this idea before.

Back in England, Patrick receives another phone call with an update from Eileen. She says that Veronica had Terry send an email directly to Patrick. It contains the code to the lock on her memento box. After he gets off the phone, Patrick immediately opens the box. Inside, he finds Veronica’s journals and begins reading.

The year is 1940, and Veronica is only 14. She is living with her parents in London, and they both seem very concerned about the war. Veronica herself is still carefree. She loves music and dancing. She also thinks about boys a good deal and is kind to a neighborhood dog whose owner is neglectful.

Her parents announce that they are sending her to live with her great-aunt Margaret in Derbyshire, where she will be out of harm’s way in case of Nazi aerial attacks. Her parents are both involved in the war effort, so they must stay in town. Veronica will be sent to a girls’ school near her aunt’s home during the week and will only have to spend weekends with her aunt.

At St. Catherine’s School, Veronica feels out of place. None of the other girls are very friendly. She confides her misery to her parents during one of their regular phone calls. Her mother says, “I’m so sorry you’re unhappy, my darling, but this is the reality of wartime. We must count our blessings” (137). As a consolation, Veronica’s parents send her a jar of strawberry jam, which is very hard to come by because of war rationing. She uses the sweet treat to bribe the goodwill of two of her schoolmates. Janet and Norah soon become her best friends. They even talk her into getting her hair bobbed, which scandalizes her prudish aunt.

By October 1941, Veronica is invited to spend her weekends at Janet’s family farm along with Norah. Janet’s brother, Harry, comes to school to pick up the three girls in a horse cart. He brings them back and forth each weekend and soon becomes attracted to Veronica. While at the farm, Veronica rescues a piglet who gets stuck in a rut, much to the amusement of her friends. Harry also shows her his collection of model airplanes because he loves building miniature contraptions. These happy memories are abruptly cut short by a final entry dated October 29, in which Veronica says that she will never be happy again.

The narrative switches back to Patrick. He is astonished that Veronica has allowed him a glimpse into her past. She was so unlike the cold, bitter woman he met. He is enthralled by her story and wants to keep reading but realizes that he’s been invited to dine with Gav’s family. When he arrives, he finds an attractive divorcée named Bryony has also been invited. Gav and his wife conspired to introduce Patrick to her. Even though the evening goes well, Patrick doesn’t want to encourage a relationship. He is obsessed with reading the rest of Veronica’s journal. He even wonders if Harry is his grandfather.

Back in Antarctica, Veronica spends some quiet time with Dietrich as he prepares dinner while the other two are out. Dietrich is concerned for Terry. He says, “She doesn’t have that special person. And her family doesn’t really get her. She’s all about the penguins” (157). He points out that as people get older, they become more concerned about others: “As you get older it’s as if your capacity for love grows” (158). Veronica is astonished by this remark because she thinks quite the opposite is true.

That evening, Veronica is getting ready for bed when she hears a heated argument coming from the next room. Terry comes to see her afterward. She tries to explain that Mike’s surly attitude toward Veronica is because he was burned by a previous benefactor who made financial promises he didn’t keep. Veronica points out that she has already contributed a large sum, thus proving her good intentions.

Terry then begins to talk specifically about the argument that evening. Dietrich has decided to leave Antarctica so that he can return to his family. He wants to put Terry in charge of the expedition. Mike is furious because he expected to receive the job. Veronica assures her that Mike will get over it. The next afternoon, a storm appears suddenly on the horizon, and everyone must hurry back to the shelter. The group is then sequestered indoors for two days, and everyone gets on each other’s nerves.

On the third day, Dietrich says that it’s safe to go outside, and the group emerges gratefully. Mike discovers that one of the generators sustained damage from the storm, so they must all conserve energy because it can’t be repaired for several weeks. This means that Veronica can’t brew more than four pots of tea a day for herself. She considers this a great hardship.

Out among the penguins, she is depressed to see how many of the hatchlings died during the storm. One happy little chick is cavorting around until a skua sweeps down and carries him off. Veronica is horrified to see the small creature torn apart and eaten. She goes back to the center to take a nap, trying to forget her own past losses. Terry presses her to explain her sadness, but Veronica shuts the door.