Antonia Forest fans

But at this point in the story, Pam has only ever been a summer visitor to Trennels, hasn't had a chance to make friends in the area, the obvious neighbour who might become a friend (in theory) is about to go and live in London. I think she would be feeling a bit anxious about what happens when they all go back to school. Yes she would meet people hunting, and doubtless move into the horsey circles, but they wouldn't be there at breakfast or in the evenings: and she hardly has a chatty cosy relationship with Mrs Bertie. I think she would have been extremely lonely without Rowan. The odd snippet we get, it always seems to me that she and Rowan, do in fact get on well, but I'm not sure that I think she accepted the idea because of this, just at a subconscious level didn't put up much of a fight? In fact if you add in the rationing and financial aspects that have been suggested there are a lot of reasons for her to say her piece (that she didn't think Rowan giving up school to farm was a good idea) but not push the point! It was therefore easy as well as very convenient for Geoff to prioritise Rowan's voice, on the grounds "it's her life".