Story so far
Peter Nichols is Juliette’s father and a doctor specializing in the youngest children. He worked at the nursery on twenty, where the family’s losses left a lasting divide: his premature son died, and he concealed his wife’s suicide by writing her death certificate himself. He approved Juliette’s early move to Mechanical expecting her to return, but they spent almost twenty years avoiding one another before reconnecting.
Although he objected to Juliette’s expedition outside, he agreed to examine her before and after it and warned that scars do not simply disappear with time. He later examined Solo and the children, assured Hannah that she need not accept an implant, and treated Rickson after a hostile confrontation. He looked after the children during the crisis and supported Juliette after she regained consciousness and confronted the diggers. In the aftermath he established a clinic in a cleared, rusted storeroom, while blaming himself for what had happened to Marcus.
During the removal of bodies, Peter insists that the crew wear masks and rubber gloves. Their preservation leads him to estimate that they have been dead only four or five weeks. He also finds three sets of twins in six births and the children’s excellent health anomalous, and suggests that something in the water might explain the silo’s peculiarities.
Outside, Peter volunteers to remove his helmet before Juliette does. He successfully breathes the air and smiles, then points out a structure in the basin.
Appearance
Peter is a tall, lean, imposing man. His work is medical, but no further distinctive facial features or usual clothing are established.
Role
A doctor and Juliette’s father, he has joined the journey outside and personally tested the air by removing his helmet.
Relationships
Juliette — Her father, estranged for almost twenty years before they reconnected; he now offers medical and personal support.
Hannah — He respects her refusal of an implant and examines her baby.
Rickson — He treats the injuries Rickson receives in a hostile scuffle.
Sources — 53 recorded facts, by chapter
Chapter 9
- Peter Nichols is Juliette’s father and works at the nursery on twenty.
- Peter Nichols is a tall, lean, imposing doctor.
- Dr. Nichols initially says he has not seen Juliette since she became an apprentice twenty years earlier.
- Dr. Nichols reveals that he also had a son who did not survive.
- Dr. Nichols says he was an intern at the old mid-level nursery when his son was born prematurely.
- Dr. Nichols admits that he concealed his wife’s suicide by writing her death certificate himself.
- Dr. Nichols says the statute of limitations has expired on his false death certificate.
- Dr. Nichols approved Juliette’s early transfer to Mechanical, expecting her to return.
- Dr. Nichols receives occasional news of Juliette from a colleague in the deep nursery.
Chapter 14
- Jahns describes Juliette’s father as busy, determined, and stubborn after meeting him.
Chapter 16
- Dr. Nichols is Juliette’s father.
- Dr. Nichols examines Jahns during her collapse at the nursery.
Chapter 25
- Juliette’s father works in the upper nursery.
Chapter 29
- Juliette addresses a nighttime visitor as her father, but the man leaves without responding.
Chapter 31
- Juliette’s father carries her on his shoulders during their childhood journey to the bazaar.
- Juliette’s father asks the actress playing her namesake for an autograph.
Chapter 42
- Juliette regrets not stopping to visit her father on recent trips past his nursery.
Chapter 82
- Juliette plans to visit her father before visiting her friends.
Chapter 200
- Juliette remembers reconnecting with her father after almost twenty years of avoidance.
Chapter 203
- Lukas suggests that Juliette’s father could examine the apparent change in her scars.
Chapter 208
- Juliette’s father objects to her planned trip outside.
- Juliette’s father learns about her expedition from Nelson during a check-up.
- Juliette’s father suggests having the next cleaner collect the outside sample.
- Juliette’s father agrees to examine her before and after the expedition.
- Juliette’s father tells her that scars do not disappear with time.
Chapter 215
- Dr. Nichols introduces himself to Jimmy as Juliette’s father.
- Dr. Nichols checks Jimmy’s eyes and mouth and listens to his chest.
- Dr. Nichols examines Elise’s missing tooth and gives her a dime after asking about fairies.
- Dr. Nichols gives each twin a dime after examining them.
- Dr. Nichols tells Hannah she does not have to accept an implant.
- Dr. Nichols says he specializes in the youngest children.
- Dr. Nichols says the baby looks healthy but asks to check his heartbeat.
Chapter 216
- Juliette and Courtnee argue about why Juliette’s father is not up top to check on Juliette and Nelson.
Chapter 217
- Juliette’s father goes to see the children after she persuades him that she does not need a check-up.
Chapter 220
- Juliette’s father reports encountering an angry crowd that recognized the people with him.
- Juliette’s father treats Rickson’s injuries at Supply before checking on the boy who fell.
- Juliette’s father believes the angry crowd was heading toward Mechanical.
Chapter 225
- Juliette’s father is looking after the children she has left with him.
Chapter 228
- Courtnee reports that Juliette’s father has taken the children through ahead of Juliette.
Chapter 233
- Juliette’s father examines her heart with a stethoscope after she regains consciousness.
- Juliette’s father reports that her friends are trying to turn the digger around to dig their way out.
Chapter 234
- Juliette’s father supports her physically during her confrontation with the diggers.
Chapter 240
- Juliette’s father remains among the few people who give her attention and support.
Chapter 241
- Juliette’s father has established a makeshift clinic in a cleared-out, rusted storeroom.
- Juliette’s father plans to check on the children after the expected birth.
- Juliette’s father blames himself for what happened to Marcus.
Chapter 253
- Juliette’s father insists that the body-removal crew wear masks and rubber gloves.
- Juliette’s father estimates the bodies have been dead no more than four or five weeks because they are so well preserved.
- Juliette’s father considers three sets of twins in six births and the children’s excellent health anomalous.
- Juliette’s father suggests something in the water may explain the silo’s anomalies.
Chapter 255
- Juliette’s father volunteers to remove his helmet before she does.
- Juliette’s father breathes the outside air successfully and smiles.
- Juliette’s father points out a structure in the basin.