We go back to Michael’s story in The Space Between Section 18, and this time, we get to meet another character from the past. Jared Fraser turns up.
Jared is clearly training Michael in the wine business, and it makes a lot of sense. We know that Jared has helped Jamie in the past by giving him a place to stay in France. Now it’s clear that family has turned to him again, and I love that Jenny’s family are also turning to Jared. This is how family works together.
Breaking down The Space Between Section 18
The new section starts with Michael going to see Jared the next day. Michael is hungover, and he thinks that Jared will shout at him. That’s not the case at all. In fact, Michael notes that everyone seems to tip-toe around him. They don’t want to upset him even more after the death of his wife.
This section also brings up Ian Murray, who Jared also knew. Many people have overlooked the fact that Michael has also lost his father. This double grief is going to play a part on him, but he hasn’t had a chance to really feel it. I get that Ian was sick for a long time, but death is still death. There is still that grief.
To make it worse, the only reason Ian is brought up is because there’s a mention of a whisky cask brought off a ship. Michael points out that it’s from the last batch that Ian and Jamie made together. There’s a special meaning to it.
The section ends with Jared mentioning that he was thinking of something, but he doesn’t share what that something is. Is it time for Michael to take over the wine business or to get part of the wine business? I did hope at this point that Jared had thought about moving to another country to grow the wine business, as this would allow Michael to plan ahead based on Claire’s warning.
Could this chapter be used in a TV adaptation?
There is a lot going on in this chapter that initially doesn’t seem like a lot. It’s focused a lot on the way Michael is grieving, and the way that people interact with him and dance around him. However, it is important for the conversation between Jared and Michael.
We would at least need that, as I’m sure the conversation between Jared and Michael will end up being important for the rest of the story. I haven’t read past this point at the time of writing, so I can’t say for sure what it is. It just feels important, especially with what we know about what’s to come in Paris.
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