During parent reading at Pirriwee Public, Jane sits in Turtle Corner and listens to children read. The peaceful school setting makes Jane feel regretful and resentful at the thought of removing Ziggy because of the bullying accusations and the petition against him.

Jane first listens to Max, one of Celeste's twins, and then Miss Barnes sends Amabella to read. Jane likes Amabella and knows it would be wrong to question the child about the accusations, but Jane is preoccupied with Ziggy and desperate for answers.

As Amabella reads a high-level book about the solar system, Jane asks a few ordinary questions before shifting to Ziggy. Jane tells Amabella that if Ziggy has hurt Amabella, Jane will stop him. Amabella immediately begins crying and starts to say, "It wasn't...", giving Jane hope that Ziggy may not be responsible, but Amabella breaks down before finishing.

Harper arrives carrying oranges for the canteen and sees Amabella crying. Harper ignores Jane's explanations, takes charge of Amabella, and accuses Jane of upsetting and bullying her. Jane, angry that Harper has been helping the petition against Ziggy, snaps back at Harper.

The confrontation escalates into a public shouting match, with Jane defending Ziggy and Harper saying, "Like mother, like son." Jane kicks sand in frustration but insists she did not kick Harper. Stu witnesses the argument while collecting spilled oranges, and Carol Quigley slips on one of the oranges and falls, injuring her tailbone.