Rex's Bereavement

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

The neighbour who lost Elizabeth and finds new purpose by helping Maureen through her own grief.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Widower At The Fence The Widower At The Fence from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". The Widower At The Fence A Man Who Likes To Talk Rex is a short, round man with tidy feet and a compulsion to talk about life's hardness.

The Widower At The Fence from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". The Widower At The Fence A Man Who Likes To Talk Rex is a short, round man with tidy feet and a compulsion to talk about life's hardness.

The Widower At The Fence A Man Who Likes To Talk Rex is a short, round man with tidy feet and a compulsion to talk about life's hardness. Since Elizabeth's death, he stops Harold at the fence to discuss grass cuttings and the weather. The Rollercoaster Image Harold fears that if Rex fell, he would roll down the hill like a barrel. He is a figure of gentle comedy and bottomless loneliness. The Seed Of Friendship Rex is the neighbour who notices when Harold does not come home. His concern for Maureen will grow into something much larger.

Noticing The Lie Noticing The Lie from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". Noticing The Lie The Empty Bedroom Rex sees Maureen looking at an empty bedroom and senses something is wrong.

Noticing The Lie from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". Noticing The Lie The Empty Bedroom Rex sees Maureen looking at an empty bedroom and senses something is wrong.

Noticing The Lie The Empty Bedroom Rex sees Maureen looking at an empty bedroom and senses something is wrong. He bombards her with offers of Milk Tray and sympathy, which she cannot accept. The Kindness Of The Blunt When Maureen finally confesses, Rex says, Did you think I didn't realize something was up? He puts a hand on her shoulder, and the relief makes her cry. The Neighbour Becomes Confidant Rex does not ask for a story or a scandal. He simply offers tea, and a listening ear, and the first human touch Maureen has felt in years.

The Map-Maker The Map-Maker from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". The Map-Maker A Homemade World Rex builds Maureen a giant map of England, with blue thread tracing Harold's route and a green flag at Berwick.

The Map-Maker from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". The Map-Maker A Homemade World Rex builds Maureen a giant map of England, with blue thread tracing Harold's route and a green flag at Berwick.

The Map-Maker A Homemade World Rex builds Maureen a giant map of England, with blue thread tracing Harold's route and a green flag at Berwick. He even buys a box of pins for postcards. The Joy of Giving He arrives behind a brown-paper package, barely able to contain his excitement. As Maureen peels the paper, he gasps and jumps as if jumping over invisible ropes. A Widower's New Meaning Rex has found a purpose in taking care of someone else. The map is not just for Maureen; it is his way of staying in the world after Elizabeth.

Drives And Shellfish Drives And Shellfish from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". Drives And Shellfish Outings With Rex Rex takes Maureen to the crematorium, Salcombe, Brixham and the Oyster Shack.

Drives And Shellfish from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". Drives And Shellfish Outings With Rex Rex takes Maureen to the crematorium, Salcombe, Brixham and the Oyster Shack.

Drives And Shellfish Outings With Rex Rex takes Maureen to the crematorium, Salcombe, Brixham and the Oyster Shack. They walk the coastal road at Bigbury and sit in front of the dunes at Bantham, where she tells him the story of David's near-drowning. The Quiet Rage He tells her he wishes he had raged against Elizabeth's death instead of giving up. The confession is as open as anything Maureen has heard in years. The Companion In Grief Rex's grief does not compete with hers; it keeps her company. His steady friendship becomes the ground beneath her feet while Harold walks away.

The Navigator To Darlington The Navigator To Darlington from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". The Navigator To Darlington The Rover And The Road Map When Maureen says she must find Harold, Rex appears in a sunhat and shades with a hardback road map.

The Navigator To Darlington from "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". The Navigator To Darlington The Rover And The Road Map When Maureen says she must find Harold, Rex appears in a sunhat and shades with a hardback road map.

The Navigator To Darlington The Rover And The Road Map When Maureen says she must find Harold, Rex appears in a sunhat and shades with a hardback road map. He will navigate; she can drive. He survives the journey only by staring out of the window. Waiting At The Railway Museum He disappears to WH Smith for paper clips and visits the railway museum while Maureen and Harold have tea. His presence is unobtrusive but indispensable. The Friend Who Lets Her Go Rex does not cling or compete with Harold. He waits in the car, and then drives Maureen home when she cannot stay. His love is the kind that lets people return.

Six months after Elizabeth's death, before Harold leaves

The first week of Harold's walk

Mid-May

May and early June

Mid-June