The chapter opened with exchanged letters. Carver wrote Iris about a dream on Broad Street in Oath where he saw but could not reach her, then announced he could write again. Iris replied with relief, asked for hints about his identity, mentioned Roman Kitt’s arrival as her rival correspondent, and sent more transcribed soldiers’ letters for posting, asking Carver about his life and work.

At Marisol Torres’s, Iris and Attie Attwood watered a neglected garden while Marisol baked for soldiers. Attie teased Iris about being late to breakfast due to morning runs with Roman. Roman, writing upstairs, tossed down a note asking for a synonym for “sublime.” Attie suggested “transcendent,” and Iris offered “divine,” which Roman used, returning to type.

Marisol then announced that a captain had arrived with one seat in a lorry to the front and wanted a correspondent. Inside, Iris immediately volunteered, calling it her turn. Roman, anxious and determined not to let Iris go alone, insisted on going too, offering to ride the side step. Despite only one seat, the captain relented and gave them five minutes to pack.

Roman rushed to prepare, privately panicking because he had just sent Iris an important letter and feared the timing. Iris, angry and worried, went to her room, stepped on the stack of soldiers’ letters, and discovered Carver’s latest message had been returned to her by magic. In it, Carver praised her over her rival, confessed he was not in Oath and thus could not post the letters, and began to mention his nan before the note cut off.

Pressed for time by Roman knocking, Iris pocketed Carver’s half-read letter, hid the soldiers’ letters under her typewriter, and suddenly felt the gravity of going to the front for days without being able to explain her silence to Carver. She took a moment to touch her mother’s ashes and promised to return, then quickly packed essentials.

Iris rejoined Roman in the hall. Without further discussion, they headed downstairs to meet the captain, both tense—Roman’s eyes bright and nervous, Iris fearful but resolved—as they prepared to depart for the front together.