Hester struggles to contain mounting hysteria as aftershocks from the disappearance continue to disrupt the old order. A mysterious visitor summons memories of Hester's dark past, whilst Sara seeks escape from the college. Meanwhile, we are taken into the story of the missing girls in the months leading up to the picnic, and the dark stain of the unsolved mystery continues to spread.
During the Christmas holidays Irma stayed at the school, being offered a teaching post by Hester though Marion was shocked by what she saw Irma doing. Now with no trace of the missing trio Hester renames the school and decides to move on, despite a staff rebellion and the strange behaviour of orphan Sara Waybourne. Alfred is sent a thousand pounds by Irma's parents for finding her and decides to put it to good use whilst the arrival at the school of stone mason Tomasetti has an unsettling effect on Hester.—don @ minifie-1