John Thornberry’s Reviews > Where My Heart Used to Beat > Status Update

The book concludes. Pereira dies and Robert sells his work to a new audience. Luisa dies and Robert grieves what could have been from afar. He opens the Tannery as a new clinic. He eventually builds the courage to read his father's suicide notes to him and his mum.

Robert intends to leave the island and says his goodbye s. However Pereira drops the bombshell of his father being shot by a firing squad after attempting suicide in the trenches.

Robert buys back his old family home "the Tannery". He goes back to see Pereira on his island. He suggests that Robert is some sort of schizophrenic because he has heard voices occasionally over his life and had d illusions happen to him.

Robert goes to the ski resort where Luisa is staying. It takes a while to pluck the courage up to go and see her. When he does she has aged but he still recognises her. They embrace and he tells her he understands. She is terminally ill.

Robert returns to London for Christmas. He remembers Luisa and all the lame relationship s since. In the January Tim Shorter finally catches up with and tells him Luisa was married to his now dead brother. He also tells him she was very ill and still loved him.

Celine goes for a walk with Robert and makes love with him en plein air despite there 20 year age gap.

Robert is to return to see Pereira. He realises he knows little of him so does some research in Paris. He finds out that he has written a novel based on himself finding a cure for a girls madness who he was in love with when she contracts malaria.

Robert continues writing his book in Birmingham Alabama and spends time with Anna from the tourist office. eventually he goes back to England where to his surprise he was offered a publishing deal first time of asking.

Robert leaves the Biscuit Factory on a sabatical to write his book "the chosen few". He decides to go to a foreign city where hopefully there will be less distractions.

Robert receives another invite from Pereira to go to his island. He remembers the love and loss involving Luisa and the death from cancer of his 80 year old mother taking his memories with her. He also had a message from Tim Shorter wanting to meet up again.