Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting

08:13 Surbiton to Waterloo

Piers reviews ads for apartments and praises Martha for the progress she is making in math. He has been invited to teach classes and doesn’t know how to manage a classroom. Martha encourages him to think in terms of a David Attenborough documentary: regard the teenagers as wildlife and behave like the big gorilla. Martha goes to sit with the boy playing Romeo, who is handsome and popular and appears to like Martha.

08:05 Hampton Court to Waterloo

Emmie misses the Toby she thought she knew, the one she believed adored and protected her. Iona has been doing her best to keep Emmie distracted. Emmie meets Sanjay on the train and thinks again how attractive he is. David joins them just as Emmie blocks a message from Toby, who has been trying to contact her. When an unknown number then rings her phone, Emmie has a panic attack. Sanjay encourages her to recite the elements of the periodic table. David answers Emmie’s phone, saying he is Emmie’s lawyer and will bring a restraining order against Toby if he doesn’t stay away from Emmie.

12:05 Hampton Court to Waterloo and return

Emmie surprises Iona with balloons and breakfast in bed for her birthday. She hands Iona train tickets, where there is a surprise party waiting for her in Carriage 3. They have drinks and snacks and presents. David gives Iona an out-of-court settlement from her editor. Piers suggests a way she can invest the money to provide income for Bea’s care. Emmie suggests revitalizing “Ask Iona” as video interviews. Iona appreciates their faith but doesn’t feel anyone would “waste their time staring at saggy old, baggy old me” (290). Martha gives Iona tickets to the opening night of her play.

Martha is nervous about the play. She sees Iona and all her friends from the train in the front row. Even Fizz is there, causing a sensation. Martha calls Iona, who tells her every actor is nervous before a performance. Martha steps onto stage and feels she is no longer scared, lonely Martha, or even Other Martha, but Juliet.

The audience gives the actors a standing ovation, and Romeo kisses Juliet. Full of the moment, Sanjay tells Emmie he likes her. Emmie replies that she is so glad they are friends. As the crowd mills around for refreshments, a rude girl asks Martha if she’s shown Romeo the nude picture. Martha punches the girl in the face. Piers escorts Martha out. Jake, the trainer, says he’s proud. Someone calls for a doctor for the bleeding girl, and Sanjay steps forward. As they leave, Emmie reminds Iona she is a therapist, but Iona still refuses to do a show.

Iona sits with Bea in the care home, going through old photographs. They reminisce about protests where police attacked them, and Bea says, “if you give up, they win” (303). Iona recalls what Bea always told her about standing tall, being heard, and fighting. Iona drives home and shouts for Emmie.

Piers sits in the sound-proofed room watching Emmie tape Iona and reflecting on his life. He likes his two-bedroom flat and enjoyed shopping with the kids for furniture for their room. He doesn’t miss his wife or their mansion. He’s begun a teaching training program and hopes he might, in some small way, be able to change somebody’s future. Iona’s guest asks her about menopause, and Piers is embarrassed. Iona tells her guest to think of post-menopause as payback time, a “triumphant second act” (310).

Sanjay finds ease in his clinician’s support group, realizing he’s not alone in his anxiety. Julie Harrison completes her cancer treatments and rings the finish bell. Julie reminds Sanjay not to live in fear. When Sanjay sees Julie’s husband embrace her, he decides to act.

08:13 Surbiton to Waterloo

Martha joins Sanjay and Iona, who are reading Iona’s mail. One question is from someone in Sanjay’s situation. Iona says that building a friendship is the hardest but most important part of a relationship, and if you can add sexual attraction to that, you have the whole damn cake. Iona tells Sanjay he needs a grand gesture, like in the movies, and describes how she sang Cole Porter’s “Let’s Do It” to Bea. She says life is meaningless without love.

08:05 Hampton Court to Waterloo

Emmie finally feels she is getting back to herself and has resolved not to date for a while. Iona is riding the train to be interviewed by a journalist who wants to talk to her about the success of her video advice channel, especially at her age. Iona receives a message from Ed, her former editor, asking if she’d like to partner with him. Iona sends a rude reply.

At Sanjay’s stop, Emmie looks out the window to see Sanjay’s roommates on the platform holding up a sign with her name. At the next stop, Jake holds up a sign saying “will you.” At Wimbledon, David and his wife hold up signs saying “go on.” At Earlsfield, Martha and her boyfriend display the words “a date.” At the next stop, Sanjay holds up his sign: “with me?” Iona hands Emmie two cards, one saying “yes” and one “no.” Emmie holds up the “yes.”

Martha reflects on the change in Piers since she met him. He seems relaxed, more confident, and possibly involved with the art teacher. Her drama teacher gives Martha a letter from a theater director at the Young Vic encouraging Martha to audition.

Sanjay helps Emmie settle in to her new flat. Jake stood guard as they retrieved Emmie’s things from Toby’s house. Sanjay invites Emmie to meet his family. She kisses him. Sanjay realizes that whereas before he had been in love with the idea of Emmie, now he’s in love with a real woman. He is happy in the present moment.

Iona visits Bea. She plays “Let’s Do It” and invites Bea to dance with her. Bea recognizes Iona and says, “I love you,” reminding Iona, “We’re the whole damn cake” (332).