The Lost Bookshop

Content Warning: This section depicts death by suicide.

Henry visits Martha’s apartment so that they can look at Opaline’s file together. He notes the tree roots growing in her ceiling, and Martha says the tree is trying to tell her something. Martha admits that she didn’t think she’d see Henry again, now that he has what he needs in Opaline’s records. Henry jokes that he hasn’t yet seen the book Martha claims to have but then adds that it was not all about the manuscript for him. Martha smiles and gives him A Place Called Lost.

Henry asks where she got it, and she replies that stories sometimes just find her, like the story on her back. He wants to ask about her tattoo but doesn’t dare. Instead, he asks if he can borrow the book to read for his research and offers to show her a photo he found in Opaline’s file. Martha looks at the photo, which shows several women standing together, including Opaline, who wears a skirt with some words embroidered on it. Martha looks startled but doesn’t explain, and she practically shoves Henry out of the door.