Summary

As Chapter Twelve begins, Charlie wakes up and sees the image of “a freckle-faced girl with wild hair” in the markings on his wall (89). He recalls his time with Alice and imagines it turning out differently – that is, with her paying attention to him – but his imaginings come to an abrupt end when he hears a sound from downstairs. He goes down, and finds Ma once again obsessed with cleaning. He realizes it is pointless to try and get her to think of something else and goes, worrying about what is going to happen to Jack if Ma’s situation does not improve.

When he goes to Squizzy’s to start work, Charlie is told by Dolly that Squizzy is in a bad mood. He listens as Squizzy and Dasher argue over some of the things that Dasher has heard people...