Joe fantasises about what he could do with the £20,000 he's found, but knows in his heart that the money means trouble and he quickly puts it back where he found it. Joe attempts to cut his hair like the pictures in Asha's magazine. The results are shocking - just as well he's not supposed to go out. However, when Joe's electric runs out he's forced to leave the house to top up the card and dons a hat to hide the bad hair. Asha persuades Joe to go on a bus ride around London with her and Otis. For the first time in ages, Joe feels free. They have a fun day out and Joe decides it's time to tell Asha the truth - that his mum has been away all week but she's coming home soon. But when that day arrives, Joe's mum doesn't come home, and Joe starts to worry about her safety.

Alone again, Joe loads the cash into his backpack, along with a few clothes, in preparation for running away early the next morning. Late that night, the threatening man (known as the Watcher) turns up demanding his money and tries to kick down Joe's door, but Joe is saved by his neighbour Kosmy. Early the next morning Joe leaves for Paddington Station and is unexpectedly joined by Asha. They don't see that they have been followed by the the Watcher, and this time he's not alone.