Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

That Wednesday, Eleanor’s Mummy calls on schedule again. Cursing, she yells at the other residents offstage throughout the phone call. Eleanor tells her about Keith’s party and her promotion. Her Mummy reacts with patronizing disdain and insists that Eleanor make haste in procuring her a “‘normal’” son-in-law (181). Mummy hangs up with a parting shot about her daughter’s solitary lifestyle.

Eleanor has taken a liking to her new life, managing the office, getting to know her boss Bob better, and continuing her friendship with Raymond. One day, Raymond asks her to lunch for the second consecutive day, saying he has something to tell her. At the cafe Eleanor speaks with a staff member named Mikey, whose girlfriend has cancer. Eleanor expresses sympathy to him, and Raymond arrives. He tells her that Sammy has died. Eleanor asks if foul play was suspected, and Raymond snaps at her. She cries, and Raymond moves to her side to hold and comfort her. They decide to go to the funeral in a few days and return to the office together. 

Eleanor buys more clothing at the department store, including a black dress, shoes, a wool coat, and an “impractical” handbag (190). A car with Raymond inside picks up Eleanor, and they travel to the crematorium for Sammy’s funeral. At the service, they sing hymns and hear the minister’s touching eulogy. Eleanor also observes Sammy’s casket atop a conveyor belt like the one at her Tesco supermarket. Eleanor tells Raymond she doesn’t wish to go to the reception, which is at a nearby hotel, but Raymond encourages her to go for the sake of Sammy’s family.

At the reception, Eleanor pays her respects to Sammy’s family. She walks around and spots Raymond and Laura embracing behind a curtain. She goes to the hotel bar and finds it empty. She and the bartender watch reality television while Eleanor finishes four vodka-and-colas. The bartender makes suggestive comments to her before Raymond intervenes. He ushers her out and feeds her tea and savory pastries.

Raymond then takes her to his flat, where they drink wine, eat snacks, and watch a classic comedic film. Raymond asks Eleanor where her scars came from. She tells him about the fire and how she was placed in foster care but declines to talk about her Mummy. Raymond assures Eleanor she can talk to him, saying, “‘We’re pals now, right?’” (207). Eleanor is elated to have a friend in Raymond after living so long without one. He calls her a cab, and she travels back home. 

Johnnie Lomond tweets that he’ll play a farewell gig in two weeks with his band. Eleanor decides to attend a show at the venue beforehand, in order to scope it out. She invites Raymond along. Surprised by her genre selection, he decides to come nonetheless. At the concert, Eleanor is shocked to see the all-black attire and garish makeup of the audience, not to mention the screaming and growling of the band (called Agents of Insanity). She and Raymond leave early, Eleanor horrified by the music, and Raymond has a hearty laugh at her reaction. They travel to a pub nearby so that Eleanor can make it up to him and he can teach her more about music.

The day of the concert arrives, and Eleanor anticipates the evening with a mix of joy, pain, and fear. She looks and feels ready to meet Johnnie Lomond at last. She says tonight will prove to be a transformative experience, during which she’ll meet the love of her life and “be reborn” (214).