Kathy recalls how the guards were a small group of students motivated to protect Miss Geraldine from a supposed kidnapping plot. They believed the woods behind Halisham to be connected. The woods were feared by the students of Halisham, with stories abounding of murder, such as that of the boy found with his hands and feet cut off. One of the girls’ friends, Marge K., was punished for embarrassing them by being forced to look at the woods from their window at night. 

Kathy is expelled from the guard when she bought a chess set in Sale, believing that Ruth could teach her since she implied that she knew the game. Kathy became angry after discovering the lie, storming off, and Ruth expelled her the next day. Despite this, Kathy still defended the guards when they were criticised.

 Kathy also mentions how, a few years later, Ruth came in with a new polka-dot pencil case, saying that it was a gift from Miss Geraldine, who she always claims views her as her favourite. 

Kathy doesn’t believe this to be true and tells Ruth that she saw the recorded purchase of the Sale. It is a lie, but the reaction to Ruth shows her suspicions to be right. However, as she is visually saddened by her being found out, Kathy tries to backpedal and claims she didn’t see much.