The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
Contents
The Flowers Have Water
Overview
Nora rushes home to Ash, Molly, and Plato, offering heartfelt reassurance as she senses her time in this life ending. Ash’s observation that the flowers already have water signals they’re cared for. Nora accepts she cannot stay and finds emotional closure as the Midnight Library pulls her back.
Summary
Nora races home and calls for Ash and Molly, sensing the Midnight Library tugging her away. She finds Molly riding her tricycle again in the garden while Ash tends a flower-bed. The urgency to see them underscores Nora’s fear that she can’t hold onto this life.
Nora hugs Molly tightly and tells her she loves her forever, adding that she loves Ash too. She hints she might not be here in the same way but repeats her love. When Molly reminds her about Plato, Nora includes the dog in her declarations, silently resolving that her family will be cared for whatever happens.
Ash notices Nora looks pale and asks if anything happened. He mentions a shop coming soon and to listen for the lorry, and that their cinema night is arranged with a babysitter—details Nora has forgotten. When Molly asks to water the flowers, Ash explains recent rain means they’re already looked after, summing it up as the flowers have water. The phrase echoes for Nora as a sign her family is safe without her.
Nora tries to hold on to this life, but the pull strengthens. Accepting she cannot stop it, she prepares to slip back to the Midnight Library, comforted by the sense that Ash, Molly, and Plato will be okay.
Who Appears
- NoraProtagonist; rushes home, declares love, tries to anchor in this life, accepts return imminent.
- MollyDaughter; rides tricycle after earlier fall, reassured by Nora’s love, included in farewell.
- AshHusband; gardening, pragmatic, says the flowers have water, plans cinema night, notices Nora’s pallor.
- PlatoFamily dog; greets Nora warmly, a small presence in her emotional goodbye.