The Pilgrims' Discord

The escalating conflict inside Harold's growing band of followers, from minor arguments to theft and schism.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Factions

The First Factions A Crowd With Opinions Kate, Rich, a gorilla man and dozens of others join the walk. They argue about routes, tents, roadkill and the true spirit of pilgrimage. Harold tries to please everyone. The Daily Friction Rich says they should avoid cities; Kate prefers the A61. Harold's discomfort with conflict makes him silent. The walk slows to three miles a day. The Illusion Of Unity The pilgrims tell themselves they are one energy bound by Queenie Hennessy. But the energy is not unity; it is a collection of individual needs colliding.

Wilf's Empty Bottles

Wilf's Empty Bottles The Disappearing Things Money and a wedding ring disappear from the group. Wilf does not hide his empty whisky bottles. Rich wants him sent home, but Harold defends the boy. The Father's Blindness Harold knows in his gut that Wilf is as unreliable as David, but he cannot abandon him. He makes excuses, asks for longer rests, and protects the boy at his own expense. The Pressure Mounts Rich calls a private meeting, accusing Harold of slowing the pilgrimage. The group's patience with both the boy and the old man is fraying.

Rich's Secret Meeting

Rich's Secret Meeting The Manipulative Speech While Harold walks alone, Rich tells the pilgrims Harold is not up to the journey and proposes a splinter group. He says Queenie is running out of time. Kate's Refusal Kate says Rich talks crap, but the whispering in tents continues. Wilf laughs hysterically, and the subject is dropped for the night. The Knife Sharpened Rich sits apart and chips at a stick with his penknife, splintering it to a piercing point. The scene is a quiet portent of betrayal.

The Split

The Split The Empty Camp Rich and the others leave before dawn, taking the well-wishers, the press and the gorilla man. Only Kate stays long enough to tell Harold what has happened. The Abandoned Father Harold is relieved, but the relief is laced with pain. He has failed another disciple, another son-figure, another crowd that looked to him for direction. The Return To Solitude He removes the pilgrim T-shirt and washes in the stream. The conflict is not resolved; it is split. He will walk the last miles alone, as he began.

The Hijacked Ending

The Hijacked Ending The Wrong Hero Rich arrives in Berwick with a brass band, his sons and a basket of muffins. The media celebrate him as the leader who stepped in when Harold retired from the walk. The Erased Pilgrim A placard reading WELCOME HAROLD is taken down, leaving WEED WELCOMES HAR. The public narrative has discarded the true pilgrim. The Story Beyond The Story Maureen watches and rages; Rex points out that at least Harold will be left alone. The conflict between the real walk and its imitation continues in the press, while the real walk continues on foot.

Mid-June, around Leeds

Between Darlington and Newcastle, late June

South of Newcastle, late June

The next morning, south of Newcastle

Early July, Berwick-upon-Tweed