The Official Book Club Guide: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Kathryn Cope

to work, much to the relief of her boss and colleagues, who have missed her efficiency. They welcome her back with a bunch of flowers and a card expressing their good wishes. When she opens her email, Eleanor sees a message from Raymond inviting her to accompany him to a classical concert.

      Wednesday night arrives and Eleanor tells her mother that she wants no further contact with her.

       Part Three – Better Days

      Eleanor prints off some articles about the house fire and meets Raymond to read them in his presence. The newspaper articles reveal that both four-year-old Marianne and Eleanor’s mother, Sharon Smyth, died in the fire which her mother started deliberately. Ten-year-old Eleanor Smyth escaped the fire but suffered third-degree burns when she re-entered the house. Firefighters found her trying to open a locked wardrobe which had Marianne’s body inside.

      Eleanor tells Raymond she is going to continue with the counselling. When she assures him that she is ‘fine’ she realises that she is speaking the truth. Raymond asks her if she received his email about the classical concert and she confirms that she will go with him. He hugs Eleanor and she kisses him on the cheek before fastening her jerkin and heading home.