An unexpected inheritance leaves the Optimist with a crumbling and sinister country estate, which includes an equally crumbling and sinister butler named Old Norman (Eric Francis). While the Optimist spends his time trying to learn the ways of the landed gentry, he also needs to avoid the murderous attempts of cousin Rachel (Rosalind Lloyd), who is seriously unhappy she didn't benefit from the will - and is determined to put it right by filling the river with piranhas as the Optimist fishes, a tarantula in his four-poster and poisoning his breakfast boiled egg.