Schoolgirl rivals

Kitty Despard arrives in England full of nervous anticipation, fresh from an Australian childhood of wide‑open bush and spirited siblings. She’s headed for Easthampton College, a storied boarding school where the old‑fashioned reputations of “crocodiles” and strict deportment tug at her imagination, yet she carries confidence in her math skills and a love of cricket and tennis. As the train rolls through the countryside, Kitty watches the green blur past, wondering how the world of English girls will differ from the life she left behind.

When the carriage fills with a boisterous gang of current Easthampton pupils, Kitty’s quiet composure meets their loud camaraderie. Prefect Eileen Gilbert greets her with a mix of curiosity and authority, while the lively Paddy bounds in, singing off‑key and teasing about the school’s “grindstone.” Their banter hints at the friendships and rivalries that await, setting the stage for Kitty’s first taste of school life, sports competitions, and the subtle social hierarchies that will shape her new English adventure.