Waiting for the Flood

## Novel by Alexis Hall

> You don't really fall in love with a house. You fall in love with the life you could have in it.
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***Waiting for the Flood*** is the second book in the *Spires* series, written by Alexis Hall. It was first published on 21 February 2015 by Riptide Publishing. It centres on Edwin Tully, a 31-year-old male living in Oxford, Oxfordshire, who grieves over his ex who has left him after ten years. Afraid of falling in love again, he meets civil engineer Adam Dacre, a freckled redhead and kind man who reminds him that it is possible to move on.

The audiobook is narrated by Alexander Doddy. *Waiting for the Flood* was reprinted on 20 February 2014 by Sourcebooks Casablanca, with a brand-new cover designed by Elizabeth Turner Stokes.

## Synopsis

Quietly heartbroken, Edwin Tully lives alone in the house he used to share with the man he once loved. He tends to damaged books and faded memories, trying to build a future from the fragments of the past. Then the weather turns, and the river spills into Edwin's quiet world, bringing with it Adam Dacre from the Environment Agency. An unlikely knight, this stranger with roughened hands and worn wellingtons offers Edwin the hope of something he thought he would never have again.

As the two men are drawn together in their struggle against the rising waters, Edwin slowly lets down his guard as he comes to accept he can't shield his heart from everything―and perhaps he doesn't even need to try. Because love doesn't only leave scars…sometimes, it heals them, too.

## Plot

Edwin Tully lives alone in a house full of memories of his ex, Marius Chankseliani, which was a place they bought together as a couple. Despite the house being at risk for flooding, Edwin wanted to keep it, even buying Marius out when they broke up after ten years. Marius' mother, Mrs. Chankseliani, still keeps in contact with him. One particular day, she texts him about the flood warning. That night at around ten, Edwin makes a cup of Horlicks and sees his elderly next-door neighbour, Mrs. Peaberry, through the glass panes. They usually say good morning and goodnight through this mode of communication. When he's invited to visit, they head to the river as an "adventure". Edwin finds that he steps in the deep end of the water, and returns home to dry off.

When the area they live in becomes flooded, Edwin meets Adam Dacre from the Environment Agency when retrieving sandbags. They strike up a conversation, which both terrifies and excites him. Adam introduces himself before Edwin retreats back home. The next morning, Edwin watches Adam and the crew busy blockading the road. Edwin manages to walk outside, though gets splashed by a passing car. This causes Adam to reprimand the driver. The two talk again, and Adam openly flirts. When Adam expresses concern, Edwin realises that their interaction was probably out of respect for the job and he leaves. That afternoon, he visits Mrs. Peaberry, who brings up the topic of his love life. She points out how Edwin should find someone who loves him for his present-self.

The next morning, Edwin sees the streets slightly flooded. Due to no heating, he wraps himself in a blanket and goes to his study. In the afternoon, Adam stops by and offers a spare pair of wellies. Edwin finally introduces himself and invites Adam over later on. That night, the two converse. Edwin reveals of being a conservator at Bodleian. He opens up about being left by Marius, confused of why they fell out of love. Adam also talks about his two sisters, where he felt he let down Siobhan. They share comforting words before Adam leaves.

The next morning, it has become completely flooded. Edwin visits Mrs. P. before going back to his own flat to move his sofa out of risk of being damaged by the water. Afterwards, he cries, which happens to be the time Adam stops by. Adam offers to help, but Edwin shouts that he doesn't want to be a charity case. Adam confesses of liking Edwin, though he shuts the door anyway. Later, Mrs. Chankseliani calls and Edwin blurts out that she isn't family. Mrs. Chankseliani gently reminds him that family doesn't have to be by blood, and that she cares for him. She also gives the advice that "people come and go" and that he is a good person and was "good for" Marius.

The next day, Edwin goes outside and musters up the courage to talk to Adam. He strays up to the riverside where Adam comes along, and he apologises for the other day. He adds that he has moved on from his ex, and wants to be with Adam. As they walk through the churchyard, they share a kiss. That night, they make love at his flat.

## Chapter list

The chapter titles are different areas of Edwin's house. For the first five, they begin as starter phrases for the chapter. In the final chapter, it does not.

* Chapter 1: The Front Door
* Chapter 2: The Hallway
* Chapter 3: The Bedroom
* Chapter 4: The Kitchen
* Chapter 5: The Living Room
* Chapter 6: The Dining Room

## Characters

* Edwin Tully – The self-conscious protagonist who is burdened with memories of his past relationship
* Adam Dacre – A civil engineer who works at Environment Agency; meets Edwin and falls in love
* Mrs. Peaberry – Elderly neighbor next door, 82 years old
* Marius Chankseliani – Ex-boyfriend of Edwin, where they fell in love in university at eighteen
* Mrs. Chankseliani – Mother of Marius who checks up on Edwin from time-to-time, being like a mother to him
* Grace – Edwin's friend briefly mentioned in the first chapter
* Marie – A Canadian young woman who lives in the neighbourhood with her husband, Mark

## Editions

Second editionAudiobookFrench editionItalian edition
## External links

* *Waiting for the Flood* Extras
* Pinterest

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