The Student lived at the dormitory at Manchester Polytechnic in 1989. She and Jenny Bradley were among the few students who stayed there over Christmas. On Christmas Day, a bored Jenny tried to convince her classmate that they should go out and find something to do, but the student didn't see the point as everywhere would be closed. A few moments later, Jenny received a visit from Rita Fairclough, who was concerned about her being alone on the festive occasion. Still blaming her for the death of her father Alan Bradley, Jenny gave Rita the cold shoulder.