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

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      In her next counselling session, Eleanor is finally able to admit that Marianne was her little sister, although she is still not ready to confront what happened to her. She then receives an unexpected visit from Sammy’s son, Keith. Keith gives Eleanor Sammy’s red sweater, as he knows that she admired it on the day his father collapsed in the street. When Keith has left, Eleanor puts the sweater on.

      Eleanor takes the bus to her counselling session and notices that her fellow passengers seem to be avoiding sitting next to her. When a woman gets on the bus and chooses to sit next to a ‘madman’ with ‘no socks on’ instead of her, Eleanor concludes that she must give off an air of madness. Spotting Eleanor’s distress, the sockless man comforts her with a few friendly words and a pat on the arm. Realising that, despite his lack of socks, the man isn’t mad at all, Eleanor sees that she is also guilty of forming judgemental opinions about other people. In a moment of clarity, she realises that the judgemental voice in her head belongs to Mummy and doesn’t express her own feelings.

      Eleanor tells Maria Temple that her mother deliberately set their house on fire, intending to kill both her daughters. Maria assures Eleanor that she has nothing to feel guilty about, encouraging her to see herself as a completely different individual from her mother. Eleanor tells Maria that she is going to end all contact with Mummy.

      When the counselling session is over, Eleanor meets Raymond and they go for a coffee. After a short dispute with the barista, Eleanor tells Raymond everything that she has revealed to Maria. She also asks him to help her to find out more about the circumstances of the fire. When Raymond squeezes her hand and expresses his admiration for her courage, Eleanor feels a piece of her heart opening up.

      Eleanor returns 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.