Ruth Timeline & Summary

This timeline is in chronological order—not the order in which events occur in the book. Think of it as a mini Ruth biography.

A seven-year-old Ruth invites Kathy to play with her imaginary horses, and then to be part of Miss Geraldine's secret guard.
About a year later, Ruth comes up with a theory to test if Madame is scared of Hailsham students.
Ruth and Kathy get in lots of fights. One of their biggest tiffs is about a pencil case that Ruth claims to have received from Miss Geraldine. They also rekindle their friendship when Ruth gives Kathy a cassette tape to replace the one's she's lost.
In her teen years, Ruth starts dating Tommy. They break up briefly, but then get back together.
At the Cottages, Ruth gets in a variety of fights with Kathy, including one where she throws Kathy's sex life in her face.
When Chrissie and Rodney think they've spotted Ruth's possible, she joins in on a road trip to Norfolk.
Back at the Cottages, Ruth drives a wedge in her trio with Kathy and Tommy. Her goading serves as the catalyst for Kathy's departure.
After serving as a carer, Ruth becomes a donor. She has a rough first donation, but pulls through.
Ruth gets a new carer in her old friend Kathy.
During a road trip to see a stranded boat, Ruth tells Tommy and Kathy that she wants them to find Madame and apply for a deferral.
Soon after, Ruth completes.