# May Fleming — The Splendid Fairing character guide > May Fleming in The Splendid Fairing by Constance Holme. **Role:** major **Also known as:** May, Fleming **First appearance:** 0019-part-iii-may ## Snapshot An innkeeper's daughter, all kindness and no pride, still quietly waiting on a wastrel lad she has long since stopped expecting to marry. ## Who they are May nurses her ailing father at the inn and runs its errands, but her heart stays fixed on Sandholes and on Geordie, whose return she suddenly feels as certain as if he were knocking at the door. She insists she is past thinking of marriage, yet the old thrill of going out to meet a lover over the sands returns to her. Her hopeful, unguarded loyalty gives the novel its tender counter-current to the Thornthwaite grudges. ## Relationships ### [Sarah Thornthwaite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters/sarah_thornthwaite) _friendship_ May and Sarah are loyal friends, often seen together in social and domestic settings. ### [Simon Thornthwaite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters/simon_thornthwaite) _friendship_ May and Simon are close friends, often discussing village affairs and sharing confidences. ### [Geordie Thornthwaite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters/geordie_thornthwaite) _friendship_ Geordie and May are childhood friends, with a playful and teasing dynamic. ### [Sarah Thornthwaite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters/sarah_thornthwaite) _friendship_ May and Sarah are loyal friends, often seen together in social and domestic settings. ### [Sarah Thornthwaite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters/sarah_thornthwaite) _friendship_ May and Sarah are loyal friends, often seen together in social and domestic settings. ### [Geordie Thornthwaite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters/geordie_thornthwaite) _friendship_ Geordie and May are childhood friends, with a playful and teasing dynamic. ### [Simon Thornthwaite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters/simon_thornthwaite) _friendship_ May and Simon are close friends, often discussing village affairs and sharing confidences. ### [Simon Thornthwaite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters/simon_thornthwaite) _friendship_ May and Simon are close friends, often discussing village affairs and sharing confidences. ## In the story ### [The Splendid Fairing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/the-splendid-fairing) Encountered on the road, dines with Sarah, offers to bring Geordie home, crosses sands to Sandholes. ### [Part I: Simon and Sarah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/part-i-simon-and-sarah) Encountered by Sarah on the road, dines with her in Witham, offers to bring Geordie home, crosses the sands to Sandholes, but is rejected by Sarah. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/ii) Passes them on the road with a cheerful greeting; she is a source of comfort and strength for Simon and Sarah. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/iii) Spotted by Simon coming out of a shop; agrees to accompany Sarah to the doctor after hearing about her condition. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/iv) Accompanies Sarah to the doctor; offers to tell Simon about Sarah's blindness; offers her savings to bring Geordie home. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/v) May accompanies Sarah, helping her with shopping and sharing in the fantasy of Geordie's return. She is nervous around Eliza and feels protective of Sarah. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as a potential helper for Sarah, but Sarah feels reluctant to owe her more than necessary due to pride and a sense of justice. ### [Part III: May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/part-iii-may) Central figure in this part, actively engaging with the Thornthwaites' plight. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/i) Returns from Witham with a secret plan to bring Geordie home; cares for her father; resolves to cross the sands to see the Thornthwaites. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/ii) Crosses the sands to Sandholes, driven by a passionate belief that Geordie is coming home and determined to persuade Sarah. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/iii) May has come to Sandholes to offer money for Geordie's return, but is harshly rebuffed by Sarah. She leaves in sorrow and fear, crossing the sands alone. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/i) Visited Sarah earlier in the day, offering help which Sarah refused; Sarah feels a 'zest of strife' from their encounter. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as Geordie's sweetheart who never married, still waiting for him. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/iv) May is mentioned by Simon as he hopes she has returned safely from crossing the sands. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters/may_fleming - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/characters