The Collected Regrets of Clover

In this chapter, Clover is interrupted by a knock on her door, which turns out to be Sylvie, with exciting news about Hugo, Claudia’s beau. Sylvie found a photo of Hugo that closely matches the description Claudia provided. He appears to have moved to the United States in 1957, and Sylvie found an address for him in Lincolnville, Maine. Sylvie and Clover discuss whether to inform Claudia about Hugo’s potential whereabouts, given Claudia’s deteriorating health and the potential emotional impact of the revelation. Sylvie explores Clover’s apartment, filled with items from her grandpa, and stumbles upon Clover’s notebooks, where she records the last words of her clients before they die. Later, unable to sleep, Clover watches her neighbors through binoculars and reflects on her loneliness.

Sebastian meets Clover to discuss his family’s plans to visit Claudia. They talk about the emotional toll of dealing with Claudia’s condition and her son’s reluctance to be with his mother during this time. Sebastian learns about Hugo, Claudia’s former lover. He is intrigued by the story of Claudia’s past and surprised about his grandmother’s infidelity, as she was engaged to his grandfather at the time, and finally agrees with Clover’s suggestion to possibly contact Hugo.