Buddy is still widely used in English classes at British and Irish secondary schools,[1][2] sometimes with the TV series to compare the two media.

Buddy was originally nine years old, his name was Stuart, he liked tea, and he thought his cousin was a spy.

Four months later, with his mum still missing, Buddy is still being bullied at school, often being called dustman by the pupils and even his teacher, due to the state of his clothes.

On top of this, Buddy is also bullied because he is friends with black twins Julius and Charmian who are also picked on in school.

That night, Buddy looks out the window, and for a moment he thinks he sees the Beast standing outside of his house.

She takes Buddy to a snack bar at the bus station and gives him the address to the flat she is currently sharing with a friend from her work and tells him that he can visit her anytime that he wants.

Later on that night, Buddy wakes to find his dad in the bathroom with his hands covered in blood.

Buddy finds a briefcase behind a door in his house containing jewellery and believes that his dad has stolen it.

His dad admits that he still continues with his robbery, and this makes Buddy very upset and he starts to cry.

The plan involves keeping his dad away from 56 Croxley Street long enough for Mr. King to enter the house.

Buddy then has his friend Charmian telephone the police and tell them that someone is breaking into 56 Croxley street.

The police shortly arrive at the house and enter, only to emerge with Buddy's dad and Ralph under arrest with the stolen jewellery.

After spending two nights at Julius and Chairman's house, Buddy decides to escape to the country to avoid being put into care.

In the end, he decides to take shelter in the wooden bus stop in his sleeping bag.

After spending the night at Ralph's house, Buddy decides to go to the place where his mum is staying, and along the way, he finds himself on the front page of newspapers saying that he is missing.