 She is employed for a time as companion to a Mrs Winnington-Bates, but leaves when Mrs Bates' son Claude tries to kiss her; soon after she meets Sam Shotter, who has long admired her.Cricket master and head of the fire brigade at Sedleigh School in "Mike and Psmith", Downing is a short, wiry little man with a sharp nose and a general resemblance, both in manner and appearance, to an excitable bullfinch.He is rather strong on the healthy boy and wants every boy to be keen.