Cedric’s Struggle to Leave

The Darling Buds of May

This flow follows Cedric Charlton’s repeated attempts to return to ordinary life and the growing forces that make him stay at the farm.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Last Bus The Last Bus from "The Darling Buds of May". An Escape Attempt A Planned Departure Cedric Charlton remembers the last bus and says he must return home.

The Last Bus from "The Darling Buds of May". An Escape Attempt A Planned Departure Cedric Charlton remembers the last bus and says he must return home.

An Escape Attempt A Planned Departure Cedric Charlton remembers the last bus and says he must return home. Pop Larkin and Mariette Larkin counter with another meal and an invitation to stay. Choice Narrowed The bus has already stopped running, and the family offers alternatives on its own terms. Cedric’s departure becomes increasingly difficult to arrange.

The Overnight Invitation The Overnight Invitation from "The Darling Buds of May". A Bed and a Reason to Stay Hospitality Presses In Pop Larkin offers a bed, and Mariette Larkin lends Cedric Charlton pyjamas.

The Overnight Invitation from "The Darling Buds of May". A Bed and a Reason to Stay Hospitality Presses In Pop Larkin offers a bed, and Mariette Larkin lends Cedric Charlton pyjamas.

A Bed and a Reason to Stay Hospitality Presses In Pop Larkin offers a bed, and Mariette Larkin lends Cedric Charlton pyjamas. Their generosity makes resistance feel socially awkward as well as emotionally difficult. Official Purpose Fades Cedric tries to remember the tax form, but meals, television, and attention keep interrupting. His duty is still present yet losing its hold.

The Morning After The Morning After from "The Darling Buds of May". Shame and Exhaustion A Difficult Awakening Cedric Charlton wakes ill in borrowed pyjamas and asks to go home.

The Morning After from "The Darling Buds of May". Shame and Exhaustion A Difficult Awakening Cedric Charlton wakes ill in borrowed pyjamas and asks to go home.

Shame and Exhaustion A Difficult Awakening Cedric Charlton wakes ill in borrowed pyjamas and asks to go home. Pop Larkin treats his discomfort as a passing problem rather than a reason to leave. A New Remedy A Larkin Special restores him enough to face the morning. The family’s care, however forceful, turns departure into one more decision postponed.

The Eight-Mile Walk The Eight-Mile Walk from "The Darling Buds of May". Transport Offered A Practical Obstacle Cedric Charlton plans to walk after learning that the bus no longer runs.

The Eight-Mile Walk from "The Darling Buds of May". Transport Offered A Practical Obstacle Cedric Charlton plans to walk after learning that the bus no longer runs.

Transport Offered A Practical Obstacle Cedric Charlton plans to walk after learning that the bus no longer runs. Pop Larkin offers the truck or Mariette’s station wagon, then invites him to stay again. A Seductive Alternative Mariette’s offer to ride and the family’s insistence make the farm more attractive than an exhausting journey back. Cedric remains caught between duty and desire.

Sick Leave Extended Sick Leave Extended from "The Darling Buds of May". The Choice to Remain A Letter to the Office Cedric Charlton writes to extend his sick leave, though he no longer has a convincing illness.

Sick Leave Extended from "The Darling Buds of May". The Choice to Remain A Letter to the Office Cedric Charlton writes to extend his sick leave, though he no longer has a convincing illness.

The Choice to Remain A Letter to the Office Cedric Charlton writes to extend his sick leave, though he no longer has a convincing illness. The extension makes his stay deliberate. A Different Life Takes Shape Work, open air, and Mariette Larkin have changed what he wants. The conflict between office duty and personal happiness resolves in favor of staying.

The first evening after Cedric’s visit begins

Late on the first evening

The morning after the first night

The following evening at supper

After Cedric’s first days in the strawberry field