Trama

Mr. Parrott's late night casino visits are taking their toll on both his finances and his appearance. The Anti-bullying counselling starts and Lauren's first customer is Poppy.

Mr. Parrott's dishevelled, late arrival at school causes concern. He dishes out German textbooks to the Maths class and has a disturbing phone call with his bank about his overdraft. Robyn asks again if he'll do some extra tuition, and this time he agrees, no doubt thinking about the useful extra cash. Robyn confides in Julie in the toilets, but they aren't alone and Paula eavesdrops the conversation. The "Confront the Bully" scheme gets underway, and the staff start looking for older students who would be good at counselling those who are bullied. Julie gives a speech to the assembled Year 8's about her own experiences. Wayne gets even for Poppy treading on his foot - he pretends friendship, gets her to put his books away, and while her back is turned, cuts off some braids of her hair. Sarah-Jane finds her crying, but Poppy won't be helped. In games, Wayne hurts his foot - but it's much more injured than ought to have happened - the result of his brother dropping a weight on it the previous week. At hospital he's told that he's broken a small bone in his foot and must take two weeks off school. Miss Carver hands out envelopes of those chosen to do bully counselling - Lauren, and Josh get one. Robyn's tuition gets underway - but she's more interested in his poker system than doing calculus. Mr. Parrott tells of the casino he has been visiting, but letting Robyn come along is out of the question. Wayne gets little sympathy from his brother - Andy turfs him out of their shared bedroom, and he hobbles into school. Mr. Robson has good news for Mr. Hankin - he's had an agreement from the governors that a trial splitting of Year 8 science class into boys and girls can go ahead. Lauren does her first stint of bully counselling, and Poppy goes to see her. Lauren tries to calm her fears and promises to arrange a meeting with Wayne. When Sarah Jane meets Poppy after school, she sees a much happier girl than before. Lauren speaks to Wayne in the drama studio and offers the chance to put things to right, with him, Poppy and herself discussing the bullying, or it will go to the staff to sort things out, and he's likely to be excluded...—Geffers