Karen has started secondary school but is not settling in as she feels academically inferior, plus she is worried that her missing hamster may be trapped under the floor-boards. Ben on the other hand is over-joyed as he has landed the lead in his school play, a musical version of 'Spartacus' whilst Jake is in disgrace for getting a tattoo which looks like a spider. Sue sends emails to the parents of Karen's school-mates , which does not help but Pete comforts his daughter with a heart to heart.