After You

Louisa reports to the Shamrock and Clover to return her uniform. (Richard fired her for taking too many days off.) Although she doesn’t care for Richard, she asks for the job back. Richard’s attitude makes her realize she doesn’t want to be there after all. She tells him off for being anal and insensitive and argues that she’s always been a good employee. Richard softens and explains his reasons for being insensitive. He then offers Louisa her job back.

Louisa returns to work. Over time, she and Richard develop a better dynamic. Soon she gets promoted to a managerial position with a raise.

One night, Louisa sits with Lily on the roof. Lily is feeling defeated about her situation; not much has changed since Peter and Garside are gone. Louisa commiserates with and encourages her. Lily comforts Louisa, too, reminding her she doesn’t “have to stay sad just to stay connected to [Will]” (273).

Josie shows up at Louisa’s the next day unannounced. They spend the day in the city together. Josie opens up about her marital frustrations; Louisa wonders if her parents will divorce. Then the two discuss Louisa’s job situation. When Josie hears about New York, she urges Louisa to accept. That evening, Louisa reflects on her situation. She already regrets declining the New York job but fears telling anyone the truth.

Louisa takes Lily for a surprise lunch outing with Camilla. At the restaurant, Camilla apologizes for how she treated Lily and invites her to come and stay with her. Camilla and Lily leave together; before Camilla drives away, she thanks Louisa for everything she’s done.

Louisa helps Sam work on his property. They chat about their grief and loss. The conversation shifts to their relationship. Sam is open about his feelings for Louisa, but Louisa hesitates to reciprocate. Sam suggests that she’s “in love with a ghost” (291), and she needs to let go.

Louisa spends the next few days reflecting on her relationships with Sam and Will. She can’t sleep and doesn’t know what to do. One day, she returns to Stortfold to see Treena. They chat about New York and Sam. Treena opens up about her housing and job situations, too.

An argument breaks out about the cake Josie bought for Granddad’s birthday. Bernard is upset that she didn’t home-bake it. Josie stands up for herself, and Bernard retreats to the garage. Louisa chats with him before leaving, reminding him to let Josie live her own life.

Lily returns from Camilla’s. She reveals that she’s going to move in with Camilla and go back to school near her house. Louisa will miss her but is glad for her. Feeling sad after Lily leaves, Louisa texts with Sam. His words give her an idea. She emails Mr. Gopnik, asking if the position is still open and explaining her reasons for declining earlier.

Josie shows up at Louisa’s unannounced again. She needs a break from Bernard. They spend the next several hours talking.

Louisa runs into Sam and asks to talk. He’s closed off, but Louisa begs him to give her a few minutes to explain herself. He agrees to let her sit in the ambulance while he drives to his next call.

Louisa tries to explain her feelings to Sam. She likes him but is afraid of what being together would mean. She doesn’t get to finish because they arrive at their call. Sam and his colleague, Donna, search for the alleged male stab wound victim. They find an unconscious girl on the walk instead. While Sam and Donna go to the truck for supplies, Louisa stays with the girl. A few boys emerge from the shadows and tell Louisa the real victim is behind the dumpsters, and the girl is a decoy. Louisa races to the boy and calls for Sam. When he appears, Louisa watches as another figure jumps out and shoots him twice in the stomach. She screams for Donna. The two get the boy and Sam into the ambulance and speed to the hospital. On the way, Louisa puts pressure on Sam’s wounds and begs him not to die. She now realizes she wants to be with him.

Louisa spends hours in the hospital while Sam is in surgery. In the waiting room, she realizes how much she wants Sam. Finally, she texts her family about what’s going on, and they show up at the hospital to be with her. A few hours later, Donna emerges and announces that Sam is okay.

Louisa visits Sam in intensive care. They hold each other, relieved Sam is alive. Louisa realizes that he stayed alive for her.

At the next Moving On Circle, Louisa realizes that she has nothing to share. She tells the group she’s been doing much better. Even though she’s leaving the group, she wants to stay in touch.

Over the following weeks, Sam regains his strength. Then one day, Mr. Gopnik calls Louisa and offers her the job again. She promises to decide within two days. When she sees Sam later, she explains the situation. He urges her to take the opportunity. They profess their love for each other and agree to try a long-distance relationship.

Louisa hosts a ceremony for the Moving On Circle on her rooftop. The occasion is a going away party for Louisa too. She’s moving to New York; in her absence, Treena and Thomas will stay at her London apartment. Before the ceremony starts, Bernard shows up and professes his love for Josie, apologizing for their recent troubles. Then Louisa’s friends arrive. Lily is there too and compliments Louisa’s dress; she’s been wearing her old clothes of late. She also gives Louisa a new bracelet to thank her for everything.

Marc starts the ceremony, encouraging everyone to share a few words about their absent loved ones. Lily ends up sharing and addresses her words to Will. Afterward, everyone receives a bouquet of balloons they release into the air. Louisa lets hers go.

Sam and Louisa’s family come to the airport to send her off to New York. She says goodbye to everyone but finds it hardest to part with Sam. Finally, she lets him go, waves goodbye, and reminds herself that he’ll be waiting for her when she returns home.