When her class's form teacher, Mrs. Thomas, goes on maternity leave, she is replaced by a strict woman called Miss Beckworth, whom Charlie immediately dislikes.

Following a trip to a theme park, Charlie and Robin witness Mark and Jo kissing on a ride - though and they are both embarrassed afterwards.

Distressed, Robin runs away, leaving Mark and Jo distraught for the boy's safety, and Charlie guilt-ridden.

In a subplot, Lottie, the servant girl Charlie had created, gets a job as a nursery maid, looking after three young and very irritating children – Victor, Louisa and baby Freddie.

The story has also been adapted for the stage by former Words and Pictures host Vicky Ireland and was first performed in 1999 at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, England.