Morcove’s Character Analyses
By Sylvia Reed
Unfortunately my collection of stories featuring Billy is incomplete. I thought it worthwhile though, sending this article based on what I do have on him, to the Friardale website.
Perhaps someone out there has more information on him.
Billy is Pam’s cousin and the nephew of Mr & Mrs Willoughby. It is unknown from which side of the Willoughby family he comes, and we meet him for the first time in SO 458-462 Pam’s Unruly Cousin Billy. Billy hails from an island named Wamballoo, a British settlement in the Pacific Ocean, where his Father is Governor. There aren’t a lot of white people on the island, and so Billy leads a fairly wild and undisciplined life there. He is sent to England to be educated at Grangemoor, and to be under the watchful eye his Uncle and Aunt. He is a big boned, awkward man/boy with a masterful attitude, who perhaps due in part to his extreme isolation on the island, finds it hard to relate to humanity. What Billy really means to say comes out wrongly, and he hates himself for it. Billy has a deeply chivalrous side to him, which also comes out wrongly at times. With animals though, he has the natural touch and a deep affinity for nature, and is a first class horseman. Unfortunately though, in this complex character lurks a weak flaw which flares up in the much later story - SO 710-714 Pam New Form Captain. He gets involved with stealing, gambling, lies, deceit and above all, a hopeless infatuation with the Denver sisters. This weak flaw causes distress to the Willoughby family, untold trauma to Pam, and of course, Billy is ultimately his own victim.
Billy comes to England in late November - therefore to experience his first Wintry Christmas in the Old Country. Pam is excited about meeting her cousin, and decides to invite the Study 12 Coterie and the Grangemoor boys to stay at Swanlake for Christmas. The weekend of Billy’s arrival sees Pam at home for the weekend at Swanlake to help settle him to England, and to accompany him to Grangemoor on his first day. Billy quickly takes a shine to Pam, but is unsure of how to relate to her. He doesn’t understand light hearted to flippancy between people who have a deep understanding of each other. Mr Willoughby early on, realises that they are going to have to handle Billy carefully.
Upon arrival at Grangemoor, Billy is appreciative that Jack and Dave are waiting for him – having been previously introduced at Swanlake. But because of his unfortunate manner he cannot let them know how glad he is to see them, and they are slightly taken aback.
Billy has a lot to learn – which is natural due to his extremely isolated background. As well as being an awkward, big boned boy/man, he is highly sensitive, outspoken, hot tempered and slightly imperious. His way of dealing with some situations is to fight it out. Soon after starting at Grangemoor, Pam meets Billy unexpectedly in Barncombe, just as the Hunt – including Lady Evelyn, is riding past The Creamery, where they are having coffee. Billy doesn’t understand protocol and why he can’t just join in, but he decides to anyway. His chivalrous side castigates him when he greets Lady Evelyn awkwardly after Pam’s greeting to her, and he feels badly about it. Pam is quick to pick up on his chivalry. Later that day, The Study 12 Coterie are surprised to see Jack and Billy arrive at Morcove – Billy is limping. Jack explains that he has been sent by the Head to collect Billy. Billy explains angrily that he has come off the horse he managed to wangle to join the Hunt. He is more angry that the fence his horse failed to take was wired deliberately. This is the first of the unfortunate happenings to Billy, and he unwittingly ‘leaves a trail of destruction’ behind him. Pam then learns via Polly – via Jack, that Billy isn’t settling at Grangemoor, - he is up against the Head, his House Master and House Captain. This worries Pam greatly, and she realises like her Father earlier, that Billy is going to have to be handled carefully. She decides to take him in hand, and to start with she decides, with Polly’s help, to have a small tea party to introduce Billy in a social atmosphere to Morcove and invites Jack, Dave and Michael Heriot to ease things along. Billy, unfortunately, is uneasy, and his ineptitude gets everyone’s back up. He storms off, and so Pam tries to pacify the situation by taking him on a tour around Morcove. He tells her of his feelings – of how he doesn’t fit in, and that he thinks everybody has a ‘down’ upon him, and how the discipline of daily life is intolerable to him. Billy notices Pam’s name on Morcove’s Honour Board and asks what she did to earn this. She replies by saying she will tell him when he earns the similar honour at Grangemoor. Billy quietens down and then goes on to mention he has seen Grangemoor’s Honour Board, and also Grangemoor’s War Memorial, which really affects him emotionally. Pam realises that there are hidden and great depths to Billy’s character. SO 458 That Cousin of Pam’s:
“Some people,” Pam exclaimed gently, at this last moment, “are called upon to save others at times, Billy, aren’t they? And others are called upon to save – themselves.
“I suppose they are!” he said in a realising tone.
“Remember I said it,” she rejoined, offering her hand at parting. “And so – good bye, Billy, for the present, and good luck!”
Just after this incident, Pam arranges for the Study 12 Coterie and herself go to Swanlake for the day, in order to assist with stirring the Christmas pudding mix. Naomer is beside herself with delirium! This day’s special leave is granted because the Fourth have worked well, under the guidance of Ethel Courtway, who is temporarily in charge, due to Miss Massingham having been laid up with a chill. She has been caught in a number of unfortunate incidents coming back from Exeter, culminating in her illness. Things could have been worse for her but for an unknown kind young man who comes to her aid.
Pam and Polly both get on the phone to Grangemoor to speak to Jack and Billy about this visit. Whilst Billy looks for Jack to speak to Polly, he manages to upset the House Porter who is in charge of the phone, and reports him to Fletcher, his House Captain. Billy regrets sounding like he does, and then is unfortunately churlish to Dave Lawder. Fletcher – a blustery type, comes down hard on Billy, who is unable to handle the situation well and he is gated. Jack tries to intervene, but to no avail. When the Swanlake visit comes off, Pam is surprised to see the boys arrive without Billy, but doesn’t react. A little later, she is equally surprised to see Billy come riding a bike up the drive of Swanlake. There are no explanations, however Pam is glad to see Billy gradually relax and become a little easier, and remembering his manners. But then the phone rings, and it is Grangemoor, requesting Jack to return back immediately with Billy. Pam is upset because she doesn’t learn what is happening, but Polly does of course via Jack. She says nothing to Pam, which creates some discomfort between the two. (Billy has been accused of knocking Fletcher down unconscious in a fight after he is gated. Billy though, is innocent of this). Whilst the rest of the Coterie and boys are playing archery at Swanlake, Pam decides to make a quick visit to Grangemoor to see if she can find out herself what is going on. The House Porter, on discovering that Pam is Billy’s cousin, decides not to like her, purely on the basis that she is Billy’s cousin and she eludes him. She sees Billy climbing out of a window and he does explain what has happened, and that he is innocent of the charge. Jack notices that Billy is outside, and quickly warns him to go back. Pam has a word with Jack, who naturally thinks that Billy is guilty, and no word from Pam alters his wrong assumptions. So, finally back at Morcove, Pam has a talk with Polly, saying that she understands if she sides with Jack in the misconception regarding Billy, but that she herself will support Billy, adding that her high estimation of Polly won’t be affected if she does side with Jack.
Christmas is drawing closer and there is some unease – including Pam herself,
that the proposed visit to Swanlake will end badly due to Billy’s
problems. Polly arranges a secret meeting with Jack to find out the latest
happenings, and meets him near the Round House (About midway between Morcove and
Grangemoor – a ride of 15 miles each way). She wishes she had a motorbike! Bad
weather is coming in; they talk about the situation, and they realise that
perhaps Christmas at Swanlake should not go ahead. Jack writes a note
explaining their situation and gives it to Polly to pass on to Pam. On the way
back to Morcove, Polly has trouble with her bike and then gets hopelessly lost
on the moor during the bad weather. She is surprised to see someone coming
towards her – and that it is Billy. He is just as surprised as she is, but
quickly explains he is also lost and so he comes to her aid, which Polly has to
grudgingly accept. She finally realises that despite his masterful man/boy
attitude, there is a good side to Billy and that he is not as ignorant as
supposed. And so Billy escorts her back to Morcove. Polly is totally
apprehensive because she is late, and is amazed to see Miss Massingham gladly
greet Billy when she sees him! (Miss Massingham recognises him as the person
who aided her a short while ago when she came to grief in her vehicle on her way
back from Exeter.) Polly for the first time in her life, sees Miss Massingham
as a wonderfully human person, and she is not hauled over the coals for being
out late. Miss Somerfield intervenes and arranges with Grangemoor that due to
the bad weather, it is best that Billy stay overnight. She has a word with
Billy regarding these arrangements, and explains that Grangemoor’s Head is
exasperated beyond all doubt with him. Pam, learning that Billy is downstairs,
goes and has a talk with him during a temporary absence of Miss Somerfield.
Billy doesn’t let on why he was in Polly’s company, but he does have a talk with
her about Fletcher and how things are not good for him over at Grangemoor. Pam
is comforted because she instinctively thinks he is telling the truth. Miss
Somerfield comes back, and tells Billy of the arrangements. She isn’t too cross
with Pam for talking to Billy, however forbids her to see Billy again before he
goes back to Grangemoor. Pam is buoyed as she feels Billy is slowly becoming
more candid with her. Meanwhile, because Billy has aided Polly, she decides not
to pass Jack’s note onto Pam. However the letter falls out of her coat - Elsie
Ashby finds it and naturally, passes it on to Pam. She – Pam is really upset by
the note, and she has words with Polly, who is distraught. Pam cancels the
Christmas holiday at Swanlake, and writes a reply to the note from Jack.
Polly is so upset that she wanders downstairs, straight into Billy, who is
waiting around, and tells him what has just happened. Billy, aghast at the
latest, quickly decides that if he says he is actually guilty of everything he
is accused of, it may heal the rift between Pam and her friends. When Pam gets
this note from Billy, she shocked beyond belief, and tries to remain calm, but
anger starts to rise within her as digests the contents of the note. She
quickly speaks to the Study 12 Coterie and apologises to Polly, and quickly
re-instates Christmas. Billy is glad that he did what he did and feels that for
once he has done something constructive and feels good about it. He decides to 
somehow try and clear his name before Christmas.
Next morning, Pam is allowed to speak to Billy after all. Her anger has subsided but her attitude to Billy has changed, which he knew would happen, however it really upsets Billy but he doesn’t let on. He leaves for his long ride back to Grangemoor and on the way back, sees an injured jackdaw that melts his heart. He tends it, and sets it free safely out on the moor close to where he met up with Polly the previous night during the fog. And then, closer to Grangemoor, he calls in on a little boy named Tommy Waldron. Billy has befriended Tommy who is severely unwell, and has lent him comics and puzzles. Tommy, his hard working Mother and hopeless, extremely unpleasant Father originate from one of the worst slums of London. Tommy is eager to learn and wants to help his Mother. He is afraid of his Father, who to his wife’s shame, is a poacher. The miserable existence of this family upsets Billy, who thinks that a warmer climate will suit Tommy, and wants to send him and his Mother out to Wamballoo. (I don’t have SO 462 When Christmas Seemed Spoiled, to see if this happens.) Mr Waldron is not pleased to see Billy. He then goes on to Grangemoor, and is accosted by Fletcher, who uneasily tells him he has heard about Billy’s confession and that he wants to see him later. Meanwhile, Betty & Co are willing to give Billy another chance due to his aiding Polly, and sound out Pam regarding this. They are surprised by Pam’s negative reaction, but Pam reassures them that Christmas will be great, and she won’t do anything to Billy to spoil things. So they back Pam up, but are still concerned about her and her worries about Billy, and so concoct up a scheme whereby Pam can visit her Mother whilst they are playing hockey at Stormwood. Pam is loath to ask for time off, and so they make Pam a reserve for the team instead of actually playing her, and ask Miss Massingham’s permission. As things turns out, Mrs Willoughby is visiting Stormwood herself, as she is friendly with Stormwood’s Head. (Would this still be Miss Danvers, along with Miss Allardyce, who temporarily held the reins at Morcove?). She is thrilled to see Pam, and on the way home to Swanlake, Mrs Willoughby visits Grangemoor, as she and Mr Willoughby have been contacted by Grangemoor’s Head in relation to Billy’s behaviour. She asks Pam if she has heard anything, however Pam says that whatever it was, it’s probably blown over by now. Close to Grangemoor, Pam sees Billy walking down a track leading from the main road and asks to be let down. She is horrified to see Billy crouching down with an injured rabbit in a snare and and has words with him. He reassures her that it was so badly injured that he had to put it out of its misery - and that it wasn’t him who caught it. She is slightly mollified by his frankness until she sees a catapult in his pocket, naturally puts two and two together. She has a few choice words for Billy and storms off. Billy goes to pieces and in his mortification he destroys the catapult and flings it away. He immediately comes to his senses though and goes to retrieve his evidence. He comes across a strap which he immediately recognises as one which Tommy’s Father – the poacher wears, and realises that it is the same spot where he is accused of knocking down Fletcher. He is amazed at this find, realising he may have the evidence he needs, but he is unsure of how to use this evidence. He goes into the school grounds, where Mrs Willoughby comes across him. She is dismayed with their conversation, especially when he asks if he can stay away from Swanlake for Christmas, but tries to end things on an easy note and gives him some money to spend. Billy is really upset about these meetings with Pam and Mrs Willoughby, however thinks he should keep up the meeting with Fletcher, and discuss what he found at the spot where he is supposed to have assaulted him. He also upsets Jack & Co by refusing their invitation to have tea with them. They are still trying their best with him, even though he is under a cloud. He has had enough, and all the goodness deep inside him comes to the fore. He is going to fight, but not physically. So he goes to see Fletcher and there are words. Billy suggests that it could have been the poacher Waldron who knocked him down unconscious. To Billy’s surprise, Fletcher loses his usual blustery attitude and agrees that yes, it was the poacher who knocked him down. There is some connection between the two as Fletcher says the poacher would go to prison if accused, and is protecting him, but we aren’t told what the connection is at this stage – (And I don’t learn of it due to my incomplete collection!). Fletcher and Billy have quite a decent conversation; at heart Fletcher is a decent fellow and is very ashamed of his actions toward Billy. Both of them don’t want the Waldron family involved in the affair. Fletcher pens a note for Billy to give Pam, clearing Billy, but to keep it confidential. Billy is undecided now, what to do. Give the note to Pam or remain silent. It would prove his innocence of the assault against Fletcher, but at what cost to Tommy Waldron and his Mother if the case was investigated more. Billy can’t risk Pam being silent in such a serious matter, and so he destroys the note.
How this particular story ends I don’t know, however the famous Christmas at Swanlake is celebrated and a happy Billy is there – SO 463-467 Christmas at Swanlake (SGOL 706 The Legend of Swanlake) - the story of which Mary Cadogan has written so much. Things must have worked well, and so Billy settles down to life at Grangemoor well.
SO 710-714 Pam New Form Captain sees Billy under the care of the Willoughby family. He is very unsettled and has been sent back to England from Wamballoo. He is a day boy at Grangemoor this time, and based at Swanlake. (I don’t have SO 710 so don’t know the actual details of Billy’s return to England; of his first meeting with the Denver sisters, and Pam’s intervention there, which also involves Jimmy Cherrol.) Billy’s behaviour is causing concern for the Willoughby family once again, and this time on a far more serious level.
Pam is Form Captain due to Betty being injured in an accident in London after the Study 12 Coterie’s and Grangemoor’s Summer holidays on the Island of Cassara - Corsica, and then in Spain. She is deeply worried about Billy - especially his increasing involvement with the Denver sisters. It isn’t long before Billy falls for the beauty and wiles of Edna, in particular. Miss Kitten has been appointed Mistress of the Fourth. (Read all about this diabolical creation by Horace Phillips on the Friardale website!) Miss Massingham is now back in charge of the Fifth. She – Miss Kitten - isn’t liked at all by the girls, and right from the start, takes a dislike to Pam. She hates Pam’s poise, her popularity and her successful leadership of the Fourth. She decides to try and rid Pam of the Captaincy. (The actual details surrounding this event is in SO 710, although in SO 711 Because of Her Cousin she sees Pam in talk with Billy at Morcove’s gates, and previously she came across Pam talking to Jimmy Cherrol, which is an accidental meeting.) Pam won’t resign. Miss Kitten threatens Pam that she will go to Miss Somerfield, and Pam suggests that it is a good idea. Miss Kitten doesn’t like this! Pam explains how the meetings with Billy and Jimmy came about, and Miss Somerfield, after extensive questioning is satisfied and pleased with Pam’s candour. She cautions Miss Kitten to take care in her handling of Pam, due to her high calibre. Miss Kitten likes this even less - this subtle warning - and from then on, intensifies her vendetta against Pam.
Polly comments that Billy has been really marvellous, until he meets Edna Denver. The Denver girls hate Pam with a passion just for the sake of it, and think they can hit out at Pam through Billy. A visit to Swanlake, is organised – including the Grangemoor contingent because Pam’s Mother is concerned about Billy, and his doings, including being lured into the gambling trap. She wants to subtly extricate him from the mire that he is sinking into, and to mix with the right people. The Study 12 Coterie are excited because Mrs Challenor (Miss Everard – former Mistress of the Fourth at Morcove) is to accompany the Grangemoor party to Swanlake. The visit has to be postponed though, because it clashes with a hockey match. Pam confides in Polly about Billy’s falling from grace. Edna, despite her awful ways, is a really good hockey player, and Pam includes her in the hockey team against Barncombe House. This doesn’t please Edna as she thinks that Pam is deliberately keeping her away from seeing Billy, and so she has a go at Pam. It doesn’t work out as Pam plans though. Miss Kitten says she can go home to Swanlake after all, and that Polly can captain the team. Pam is genuinely surprised and pleased, so goes off, and then Polly hears Edna boasting that Pam pestered her Mother into allowing her to go home. Polly lets fly at Edna and Miss Kitten suspends her from the team. Polly tries to protect Pam, including the twenty mile bike ride to Swanlake, to warn her what is happening. This is the first step in the downward path Pam unwittingly takes in her quest to help Billy. Polly, on arrival at Swanlake, is taken more into Pam’s confidence and is aghast at what Billy has become, especially when he has the Willoughbys and Swanlake as an example to model himself on.
SO 711 Because of Her Cousin:
What an extraordinary freak of fate it was, that a house so rich in honourable associations with the country’s might and glory, so famed for the chivalry and quiet dignity of succeeding generations of Willoughbys, should be now, also, Billy’s home as well as Pam’s!
Whilst at Swanlake, Pam and Polly learn from Jack and Dave, who have come over for tea, learn that there is an upset over at Grangemoor, with funds being stolen, of which Jimmy Cherrol is in charge of and is accused of. Pam is shattered by this, and immediately suspects Billy, and this is later confirmed by Jack and Dave. She comforts Jimmy, who is unhappy about the accusation but at the same time is unwilling to expose Billy, and unwilling to upset Pam. Billy is rapidly falling for to Edna, who captivates him completely with her false ways and beautiful face. She couldn’t really care less about Billy, apart from the good time he can give her and that she can use him to hit out at Pam. He showers gifts upon Edna, – the first of which is a fine necklace, brought from Christler’s Jewellers, who are patronised by Morcove. He gives Mr Christler a dud coin, which is part of the stolen funds. Pam, in Barncombe at the same time, sees Billy coming out of Christler’s and goes in on a pretext of breaking her watch. She makes discreet enquiries and learns that a young man from Grangemoor has just bought his ‘cousin’ a fairly expensive gift. Billy insists on seeing Edna that night, and this is arranged. This illicit soiree thrills Edna. Pam manages to let Billy know about the stolen funds in a roundabout way without an actual accusation, saying she will cover the loss, thereby clearing Jimmy’s name. Billy is ashamed of his actions but unrepentant. Pam writes to her Mother with a request for money, but doesn’t let her know why she needs it; Mrs Willoughby sends the money and also doesn’t ask any questions. Pam – suspicious, prevents Edna from leaving Morcove to meet Billy, and Edna is furious. SO 711 Because of Her Cousin: Pam was there at the table, alone. She looked up calmly from some letter-writing. All Edna could say, in answer to the questioning raising of fine brows, was a snarled:
“You’re very clever, aren’t you?”
“Not at all,” Pam said, laying down her pen. “Knowing you as I do, Edna, and knowing my Cousin Billy – what he is at present – anybody might have guessed that he’d be hanging around this evening.”
Edna manages to drop a note for Billy, whom Fay sees lurking in Morcove’s grounds, letting him know that Pam has prevented them from meeting. Billy is also furious.
“Pam to blame, is she? Right, I’ll jolly well pay her out for this!”
So Edna posts Billy a letter, addressed to Swanlake, which the Willoughbys assume is from Pam, as she copies her way of writing, arranging another meeting. She gets special permission from Miss Kitten for leave on the next day, as it is a halfer at Morcove, to spend at Sandton Bay with her sister Fay, on the pretext of looking at prospective properties on behalf of their Mother for the Winter. It is also a halfer for Grangemoor. Miss Kitten discovers that there is enmity between the Denvers and Pam, and uses this to her best advantage because as we know, she absolutely loathes Pam. Pam meanwhile posts the money onto Billy at Grangemoor instead of Swanlake to save him the embarrassment and reasons for the money remittance to his Uncle and Aunt. On the day of the halfer, Billy is excited when he gets that letter from Edna, and before he leaves for Grangemoor he is given a little Fatherly advice in a nice way on life in general from Mr Willoughby, who also gives him a remittance. He suggests to Billy that he bring some of his friends back to Swanlake for tea and a look around. On arrival at Grangemoor, a Porter gives Billy the letter from Pam, with the money. He is exultant and decides to spend all of the money on a good time with Edna, instead of replacing the money as suggested. At the same time, he is high handed with his treatment of the Porter (As in the first story), but deep down is self ashamed and afraid when he arrives in class late. Jack, Dave, Jimmy and Tubby silently give him the ‘once over’.
SO 712 False to Their Schools: And, instead, the guilty lad could only hurry by, in the gangway between the desks, with a suffocating feeling, wretchedly certain that he was suspected, and half-afraid that in the end he would have to answer for his deed.
Barncombe House arrive at Morcove for the arranged hockey match, and Fay and Edna wave cheekily to the Morcove girls, saying they have special permission from Miss Kitten to go to Sandton Bay for the afternoon. Polly notices that Edna is wearing a necklace. Pam isn’t too worried until she learns via Polly from Jack, that Billy disappeared from Grangemoor just after lunch, and Jimmy’s name isn’t cleared regarding the stolen funds. Jack tells Polly that he will see what he can do.
The three – Fay, Edna and Billy, go to Sandton Bay, where Billy is insufferably rude to the waitress at the Ocean Café, to the delight of the shallow Fay and Edna. As Cousin Percy doesn’t show at Sandton Bay like he said he would, Fay decides to latch onto Billy as well, and so Billy has two admirers to spend all that cash on. Both girls have frivolous conversations with Billy, which he takes to heart deep inside due to his guilty conscience. (To give the Denvers their due though, they don’t know Billy is a thief and they also offer to pay their way.) The conversation soon turns to Pam, and there are plenty of snide comments about her, and how the Study 12 Coterie and the Grangemoor boys usually spend holidays together. The three discuss how Pam prevented the night time soiree between Edna and Billy, and so he is reminded afresh of the grudge he has against her. Suggestions are made that Fay and Edna blacken Pam’s name so much that she is deposed as Captain.
Back at Morcove, Polly, not yet knowing the capabilities of Miss Kitten’s character, suggests to Pam that she go to Miss Kitten and warn her about the Denver girls. Pam thinks it is not a good idea. The hockey match against Barncombe House turns out to be a success - Pam doesn’t allow her worry over Billy affect the match, and the entertaining of the Barncombe House girls afterwards. When Billy and the Denvers finally leave the Ocean Café in Sandton Bay, they find Jack and Dave waiting for them - they have ridden their bikes over from Grangemoor. Jack takes a photograph of the trio, and they panic. After the match, Pam asks permission to go into Barncombe with the Fourth. Miss Kitten’s reaction is to be nasty, and refuses, however Pam remains calm and says the girls need to go shopping and that she needs to get her watch from Christler’s. Pam politely replies that she will have to appeal to Miss Somerfield against the refusal, as it is against school rules. This really ruffles Miss Kitten’s feathers as she realises that she cannot shake Pam’s calmness at all. Judy, since Miss Kitten started at Morcove, has shrewdly noticed her treatment of Pam, and senses the battle that Pam has had in obtaining permission for the Fourth to go to Barncombe, although Pam says nothing. Judy concludes that perhaps Miss Kitten is jealousy. The timing of this trip into Barncombe co-incides with the Coterie meeting of Jack and Dave in Barncombe, who have just come back from Sandton Bay. The bus is due soon after. Jack excitedly tells Pam about the photograph. Pam is grateful about Jack’s actions, however won’t use the evidence as she doesn’t believe in entrapment, no matter how insidious the Denvers are, and despicable behaviour of Billy. Jack quickly catches onto Pam’s reaction and with a little aid by Dave, quickly he calms down, and destroys the spool of film. Pam needs proof of Billy’s guilt, but will find proof her own way. She then goes on to Christler’s and picks up her watch, taking care to say that she won’t give the jeweller a dud coin, as she heard that somebody was duped with one last week. He remarks that he had one last week, when the Grangemoor boy came in to buy a gift for his cousin. And so Pam is finding out what she wants in her discreet way, about a certain Grangemoor boy going in and doing business. She is angry and sad about Billy. Polly, like Jack at first, doesn’t understand why Pam wouldn’t use the photograph Jack took of Billy and the Denvers, and so Pam explains again. By this time the Sandton Bay bus arrives in Barncombe, and despite destroying his evidence, he is ready ‘to have a go’. Pam stops him, saying she doesn’t want scenes in public and that there are other ways to prove Billy’s guilt and Jimmy’s innocence. They respect and accept Pam’s way, keep a watch the trio from a distance, and then go back to their respective schools. Miss Kitten, full of hate because of her continuing unpopularity, is waiting for Pam and the others as they come in. She immediately asks where Pam is, as she is a couple of minutes later than the others because she is ensuring the bicycle shed is secure. She – Miss Kitten – was really hoping to catch Pam at some illicit meeting over at the boundary hedge. Pam knows that she is being baited by Miss Kitten and doesn’t react. By the time the Denvers come in – some time after Pam, but five minutes before their appointed time - she greets them in a very friendly way. Edna offers Miss Kitten chocolates from a dreadfully expensive box which Billy brought in Sandton Bay. Miss Kitten comments on the chocolates, not knowing that she herself by now, is being deceived by the girls. (More of this on Miss Kitten’s profile on the Friardale website). Pam and Polly are still awaiting the news of Jimmy’s clearance, but it doesn’t happen. Jimmy himself, is barring this clearance as he doesn’t want shame brought upon the Willoughby family. The girls are upset by this, however gladdened by news that Betty is recovering well and is coming down to Morcove to stay at the Headland Hotel with Mrs Barton. Jimmy writes a letter to Pam – explaining his reasons for not clearing himself - however Miss Kitten intercepts the letter and interrogates Pam before passing it on to her. With all of her high principles, Pam doesn’t read his letter due to so much inference, but destroys it in front of Miss Kitten and then walks away. This is a rapier thrust against Miss Kitten’s vendetta against Pam, and so knowing that she will never gain popularity with the Fourth, decides to become a martinet. This is not well received. A little later Miss Kitten tells the Fourth that an invitation to Swanlake to watch the start of the Hounds is refused. They are upset and so is Pam, but she won’t go over Miss Kitten’s head, to the higher authority, although Miss Kitten implies otherwise. Billy himself then comes to Morcove – all bold and impudent – and tells Miss Kitten he has a letter for Fay Denver from Bertie (It’s really from Billy himself to Edna). He offhandedly tells Miss Kitten who he is after she requests it, and she tells him that he can go inside and deliver the letter, and then suggests that he speak to Pam. He says that he doesn’t think she will talk but Miss Kitten goes and gets her anyway. Billy is arrogant towards Pam and is still in denial outwardly as to what he has done. Pam tries to reason with him. SO 713 Pam Willoughby’s Downfall:
“Those who’d have to deal with you, if you confessed, Billy, are those who know that you came to – well, to be helped to make good. You – you weren’t always like this, Billy; we – we’ve all realised that you must have lapses. The theft, Billy, was a very bad lapse, but it was only a lapse – wasn’t it? At a time when you were feeling – being back there at such a fine school, with such fine fellows for chums – that you would like to play the game, as they do?”
“Is this”, he jested shamelessly, “how you talk to the other girls, as captain? My hat, some of you and this school of yours! There’s that Form-mistress of yours; I’m sure a chap might think the place was a prison! And then you start!”
“I’ve finished now, anyhow, Billy,” she remarked gently. “But that doesn’t mean I give you up. You’re my cousin, and I never forget that you might have been different if you’d had brothers and sisters. Of course, you’ve never had a settled life –“
“I don’t know that I want one!”
“You were at Grangemoor before, and then you were taken away, to go out East again. Then things went all wrong out there, and you came back once more – to Swanlake. So, Billy, good-bye, and –“
Billy is aggressive and tells Pam that Jimmy is a fool, which stings Pam into utter silence. Edna comes in and is given the ‘letter to Fay from Bertie’ and Pam is suspicious that another meeting is being arranged. Edna goes upstairs to Fay, opens her letter and laughs loudly, loving the deception. Betty arrives at the Headland Hotel for her recuperation with her Mother, and immediately invites the Study 12 Coterie over for tea. Naomer is ecstatic about the invitation! Pam herself, despite being so eager to see Betty and to be in the party, doesn’t go to the tea, but doesn’t offer an explanation for her absence. She accompanies them though, half way and leaves them. At the Headland, Betty is quickly put in the picture about Pam, her Captaincy capability, Billy, and of course Miss Kitten. Betty is really to hear of Billy’s downfall. Meanwhile Pam, out and about on the moor, is keeping tabs on Edna who is also out and about. This is why she didn’t go to the Headland Hotel tea party. She suddenly comes across her on the moor and urges her to go back to Morcove. Edna is livid, and flouts Pam’s warnings that she may be expelled, and that the friendly relations that exist between Morcove and Grangemoor are in jeopardy. Billy then shows up, and he is white with anger. Both of them blaze away at Pam. Edna starts to walk off with Billy, and then suddenly stops and quickly disappears in some undergrowth. She has seen Miss Kitten suddenly appear on the scene, right in front of Pam and Billy. Miss Kitten is full of glee, and demands to know what is going on. Billy quickly tells her that Pam arranged a meeting - Pam almost faints on the spot at this outrageous audacity of Billy’s. SO 713 Pam Willoughby’s Downfall: An inner voice seemed to be saying to Pam: “He is going this to you – a thing that will cost you the captaincy. But it is nothing compared with what he has done to Jimmy.”
Pam gathers all of her courage and says it isn’t true. She does say though, that she thought Billy may be over near Morcove, and that she waited around on the off chance of seeing him. Miss Kitten is ‘exultant absolute’ and tells Pam in front of Billy that she will probably lose the Captaincy. Billy does nothing at all to defend her, instead saying a his false ‘Good night’ and leaves to find his bike. Miss Kitten accompanies Pam back to Morcove and remarks what a detestable and ungentlemanly character Billy is, in not offering to take some of the blame. Pam is swiftly deposed of the Captaincy at the same time the Coterie return from the Headland Hotel tea party. Pam is inwardly devastated, knowing that Billy has betrayed her, like he did Jimmy. Polly is outraged and wants to take action against Miss Kitten. Pam is quick to say it isn’t Miss Kitten’s fault. Then the talk starts, some of the Fourth discovering Pam had met Billy. They think that Pam may be at fault after all, since all of the trouble started after Miss Kitten tried to get Pam deposed at the beginning of term. And so Pam’s estimation in the Form goes down to almost zero. Polly and the Coterie stand by Pam amidst all the talk and rumours; all the while the Denvers are aiding and abetting their own cause. Pam is then called home to Swanlake after her parents learn from Miss Somerfield about the deposing, the day before the Hounds. They ask if she wants to leave Morcove, and Mrs Willoughby threatens to end her friendship with Miss Somerfield. Pam won’t hear of either action, and won’t tell her parents exactly what happened. Mrs Willoughby realises that Billy must have been over at Morcove for no good, whilst Mr Willoughby is angry with Billy. Pam wanders around the Swanlake, estate and is asked to take some game and a message to old Mrs Morgan - an Estate worker’s widow who lives close by. She comes across Jimmy who is wandering out and about, after leaving Mrs Morgan’s. He asks her how things are going, and if she has come home for the Meet. They talk on general things, and she asks him if Billy goes past this way on his way home from Grangemoor. He asks her about Betty, and if she will still be Captain for the rest of the Term after Betty returns. She says no, but doesn’t offer an explanation, and turns the subject to times past of shared experiences, and other things in general. They soon part, and Pam wanders back to Swanlake, when she hears cries coming from the lake. She is horrified to see it is Billy, who is in the water fully clothed, panicking. A capsized punt is nearby. She dashes into the lake – which is deep and large - and swims fully clothed herself, out to save him. She lands the half unconscious Billy on the bank, and he soon recovers. (Below is an illustration by Evelyn Flinders.) He comes to and recognises her. SO 713 Pam Willoughby’s Downfall:
“Pam!” he rasped at last, floundering up to goggle his eyes at her. “You – you saved me!”
Then she smiled.
“I don’t call that saving you, Billy. It will take more than that to save
you!”
What does happen? Pam returns in the next story as Fourth Form Captain, Miss Kitten takes her revenge however is ultimately exposed. Billy doesn’t seem to feature in any further stories.