Janie Steps In
Key Facts (Possible Spoilers):Links with the Chalet School
Relationships
Janie Lucy, Elizabeth Ozanne and Anne Chester are sisters - first met in MAIDS
OF LA ROCHELLE.
The Lucy, Ozanne and Chester girls all go to the Chalet School when it begins in Guernsey.
Nigel and Rosamund Willoughby are the parents of Blossom and Judy, who also go to the Chalet School when it is on the British mainland.
Soon after Anne Chester's return to Guernsey, Julie and Nancy spoil Beth's treasured paintbox and at first Anne is annoyed at Beth's outburst, but after a talking to from Janie realises that relations between Beth and herself are not what they should be. Unfortunately Barbara becomes ill shortly after this, and Anne is distracted from her concerns.
Julian and Julie go on a business trip to Alderney and Nan is left in charge, While they are away the children come down with mumps and they all go to Les Arbres to spare Barbara the illness. Beth is very upset while she is there and convinced that her mother does not love her, but Nan manages to make her see that this is not the case.
Six months later, Nan's father has passed away. Meanwhile Rosamund has given birth to Juliana Jane (Judy). A cousin of Peter Chester has died leaving him all his money. Beth and her sister and cousins are to begin at the Chalet School in the autumn and Beth is reconciled with her mother. Janie gives birth to Nan's godson, Barnabas Julian.
Nan asks Janie whether she should become engaged to David Willoughby, and Janie advises not to until he is back in England. However, a cable arrives from David saying that he will be returning early and Janie is ready to step in again if needs be.
Timing
The story takes place in the year preceding the Chalet School's move to Guernsey in THE CHALET SCHOOL IN EXILE.
contributed by Susan Vass, Scotland __ working from a hardback edition