Briony Larkin Timeline and Summary

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• Okay Shmoopsters, the timeline here is a bit tricky. Don't fret, though—we've pulled the flashbacks out to put things back in order. This includes some things that happened to Briony before the book begins:
• Briony and Rose are born. They're twins, but only Briony is born between the midnight Chimes, making her a Chime Child.
• Briony's mother dies, and later, he meets and marries Stepmother.
• Stepmother tells young Briony she is a witch who has caused many tragedies to happen in their lives.
• Father gets sick and almost dies.
• Stepmother gets sick too.
• Briony sets the library on fire and burns herself.
• Stepmother dies. There is controversy over whether or not she killed herself.
• Once the book begins:
• Eldric leaves university (actually he was kicked out like the bad boy he is) to stay with the Larkins.
• Eldric and Briony begin developing a flirtatious friendship and come up with an idea for a secret fraternity.
• Briony tries to make a deal with Boggy Mun to keep Rose from getting the swamp cough, but instead Boggy Mun gives her the cough and promises not to take it away unless the men stop draining the swamp.
• Briony blows up the swamp pump station, sending the swamp water back into the swamp and relieving Rose of her cough.
• Eldric develops a relationship with the mysterious and seductive Leanne. Briony is jealous.
• Briony and Eldric's fathers accuse Eldric of "taking advantage" of Briony and decide the two shouldn't see each other.
• Briony bargains with Boggy Mun again, this time only getting him to agree to delay Rose and Tiddy Rex's illness until Hallows Eve.
• Briony sneaks out on Blackberry Night, is attacked by a lustful Cecil, and kissed passionately by Eldric after he saves her. She runs away.
• Eldric gets sick, and Briony worries it is her fault.
• Eldric confesses his love for Briony on the same night that she conjures the spirits of dead children and her stepmother, revealing her magical powers.
• Eldric almost dies trying to save Briony, but she saves his life by bringing him back to town and turning herself in.
• The truth about Stepmother comes out in trial and Briony is released.
• Eldric and Briony begin to heal emotionally through their newfound love.