The festival was a huge success. In the end they raised far more money than anyone expected. With ticket sales, novelties, food and additional donations from several anonymous sources, there was more than enough to rebuild the Abbouds’ home and restaurant. Everyone agreed that the Fields Festival should become an annual event and no one was more excited about the prospect than Miss Grimm.

Ada Abboud and the children visited Mehmet in hospital the next day and, to his surprise, Ada babbled for an hour about how proud she was of Zahra’s performance. That daughter of hers was going to be the next big thing for sure. Mehmet had hugged his daughter tightly and whispered that he knew her mother would come around one day. They were more than happy for her to continue her singing lessons and Zahra had her sights set on a local eisteddfod or two in the coming months.

Tabitha Crowley decided to stay at Caledonia Manor for a while yet. In the meantime, the Abbouds moved into her cottage. They needed the space much more than she did, and it would give her time to think about her remodelling plans. Fattoush was getting the most extraordinary new facade, designed by none other than Myrtle Parker herself, in consultation with the Abbouds and a pile of Middle Eastern history books.

When she’d first learned of her father’s betrayal, Jacinta had sobbed for one gut-wrenching hour, but she soon realised that it would never have worked and that she and her mother were far better off without him. Besides, in the process of uncovering the truth, she’d gained a cousin – one that she liked very much. Tabitha and Ambrosia had many things in common, especially their love of fashion, and it didn’t take long for Tabitha to become an adored member of the family.

Needless to say, Lucas and Jacinta were more smitten than ever. It helped enormously that he invited her to be his date at his mother’s wedding. Ambrosia was happy to chaperone them, and there were plenty of stories she could write while she was in New York.

Reg and Stan were back in business. Their performance had caused ripples throughout the industry and there was now talk of a tour. Myrtle couldn’t have been prouder, although she did make Reg double-insulate the garage before there were any more rehearsals.

Percy Pratt moved to live with his mother. With his track record, there was no chance of another school position. Instead he turned his hand to wedding calligraphy – and the odd forged document – which proved far more lucrative than teaching.

The equilibrium was soon restored at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale. Miss Grimm allowed Miss Reedy to finish up her proper term before making the woman deputy head of Organisation, while Miss Wall took on the role of deputy head of Pastoral Care. Both women were thrilled and worked together without a hitch.

Louella Derby finally made it past the point that she could tell everyone the real reason for her constant rushing off to the bathroom. The woman was three months pregnant and the girls couldn’t have been more thrilled.

Miss Reedy heaped praise on Caprice for her role in the success of the festival – right before she made it clear that she still had nine and a half hours of community service to complete. Alice-Miranda continued her drumming lessons and, together with Zahra, Millie, Chessie, Jacinta and Sloane, the girls formed their own garage band. Guess who else is desperate for an invitation to join in?