Having tested Mr. Campbell's patience a final time, Sally joins the ranks of the unemployed. Fearing her skills are limited - shorthand that can't be read back, an essay on volcanoes and night classes in fruit bottling - she tries a position at the boys' school, but is soon back on the job hunt. Will anything suit?

Sally's birthday is approaching and she's sure that Simon and Peter will remember of their own accord: so certain, in fact, that she forbids Auntie from giving them even the slightest hint...

Mr. Campbell invites Sally and her family to stay in his sister's home in the country. Unfortunately Sally is her error-prone self, and when Peter falls in the river at the start of their mini holiday and the household has a disturbed night, Miss Campbell starts doubting her own sanity.

Simon sees himself as the potential breadwinner in the house and so announces his intention to leave school. Sally tries to head off his teenage rebellion, but it seems he's already fled to join the army.

Allan, a long-time admirer of Sally's, arrives unexpectedly and the boys are only too keen to play matchmaker - much to their mother's distress! Auntie, however, is very keen on his continued presence in the house..

Sally feels the boys need an "interesting" day out during the school holidays, so she takes them on a visit to the House of Commons.