Hilary Dodds was an unmarried teacher at Bessie Street School. In May 1972, she attended a PTA meeting at the school, at which she expressed to Ken Barlow her criticism of parents who couldn't drag themselves away from the pub or the television for a few hours to attend. Her comments were overheard by headmaster Wilfred Perkins who echoed the sentiment, saying that some of the parents needed a kick up the backside. After the meeting, Hilary gave one of the parents, Mrs Harper, a lift home.