Tyler wants to borrow money to buy new equipment for his band, Puddle of Agony, but Boycie, who was brought up in the school of hard knocks, refuses to cough up. He challenges his son to stand on his own two feet and prove he is a businessman by raising the money himself. This proves difficult, as the local vicinity is gripped by fear of 'animal freedom' protestors. However, Tyler sees an opportunity that will satisfy everyone but his father.

Marlene is worried about Tyler being in a deep depression, and on what appears to be a starvation diet. He is withdrawn, and spends every hour painting gloomy pictures. Things become so bad that she calls for the help of her mother, Dora. And it is Dora who solves the mystery, and puts a smile back on her grandson's face.

Boycie and Marlene drive Tyler back to his old university where his band, Puddle of Agony, is about to perform its very first gig. The staff, left alone to look after the Grange, decide to help a couple of ghost-hunters who have arrived in the area seeking phantoms and ghouls. While Tyler's career seems to be slipping downhill, Bryan, Jed and Mrs Cakeworthy appear to be in seventh heaven.