Jacinta finally confessed to Alice-Miranda, Sloane and Millie that she’d been so upset about the thought of leaving Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale that she decided to get into trouble on purpose so that Miss Grimm would make her repeat. She apologised for being a terrible brat and said that she had no idea her behaviour would cause such a huge fuss. As Sloane pointed out, in the end things had worked out for the best. Millie, however, couldn’t resist telling Jacinta that there’d been no need to be such a pain about it all.

On hearing the news about Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale’s progression into secondary school, Mildred Jelly had called and begged Miss Grimm to reconsider her decision. Apparently her long waiting lists were a figment of an overactive imagination. With every single girl making the decision to stay put, it wasn’t long before an advertisement appeared in the paper for a new headmistress and Science teacher at Sainsbury Palace.

Ursula resigned from her position at the council. She couldn’t stand to work for Silas Wiley a minute longer. As chance would have it, Miss Grimm advertised a casual position as a housemistress the very next day. Ursula is currently looking after the girls until Mrs Howard returns. After that, who knows. She and her father are taking things one day at a time.

Queen Georgiana arranged to rebuild the bridge across the stream and fix Stanley Frost’s driveway. He had the telephone reconnected and Ursula insisted that he buy himself a new second-hand car.

Myrtle Parker agreed that Stan and Reg could continue their fossicking whenever they wanted. She put away her lists too and was stunned when Reg arrived home one afternoon with two plane tickets to Tuscany.

Nurse Raylene returned to Winchesterfield and was surprised to find herself out of a job. Her father had made a full recovery and she was thrilled that Mr Parker had too. Myrtle Parker was still quite glad to see her go – she was far too young and attractive to spend any more time than necessary with her Reginald.

Alice-Miranda and Mr Parker struck up a lovely friendship. She still went to read to him as often as she could, and together they shared books and poems and lots of laughs. He especially loved Matilda.

Silas Wiley’s announcement with Queen Georgiana garnered him a great deal of support throughout the district. His entrepreneurial skills were still questionable, though; he decided to sell his pizza restaurant and invest in a putt putt golf course instead. He was devastated to lose Ursula, who had been the best secretary he’d ever had.

Miss Reedy’s Summer Spectacular went off without a hitch. Jacinta and Sloane sang a fabulous duet and the concert was a fitting end to the year. With Caledonia Manor set to house the senior students in the new term, the last weeks of school were some of the happiest anyone could ever remember.

And as for the holidays, there was still some debate about what the girls would get up to. Aunty Gee had mentioned that perhaps Alice-Miranda might like to spend some time with her at the palace. Sloane asked Alice-Miranda if she could take some friends along too. There’s still a little time to decide.