historical-accuracy

The chapter depicts three women—Paige, Reardon, and Douglas—experiencing the immediate aftermath of the announcement of the end of World War II in Europe on 7 May 1945 in London. They navigate deserted streets and empty Underground stations, initially doubting the news due to previous false alarms, but eventually join the swelling crowds celebrating VE-Day. The narrative captures the tension between disbelief and jubilation, as well as the anticipation of public celebrations at iconic London locations.

Polly is trapped in a temporal drop in London during the Blitz and experiences a terrifying bombing raid that damages the drop, preventing her return to her own time. She discovers that the bombing that destroyed the area actually occurred two nights earlier, meaning she is temporally displaced and isolated from her retrieval team and familiar people, many of whom are now dead. The chapter explores Polly's growing realization of the tragic consequences of the bombing and her precarious situation in time and space.