The advertising company Martin works for gives him a new job, which means he has to work at home. He soon gets bored and frustrated while trying to work his way through a list of things to do given to him by Julie, including dealing with the plumbers, the dog Diggy and the car. After visiting his mother at the nursing home, Martin brings her home, to Julie's annoyance. Lucy announces she is going to Iraq to help someone write a book and Duncan and Sarah come round for dinner.

When her husband throws her out for being unfaithful, Sarah moves into the Chadwick house. Julie and Martin's daughter enjoys a romance with a Polish decorator.

Duncan goes to see Martin and Julie to say he is having marriage problems, and when he gets home he sees Sarah sleeping with his golfing partner Barry. Duncan then changes the locks, and Sarah comes to stay with Martin and Julie in the spare room, Martin having taken Gran back to the nursing home. Sarah's presence soon causes problems all round, so Julie brings Gran back which means Sarah has to go so Gran can have her room back.

Julie has to prepare for an interview to become Head of Planning, and has to try to impress her boss Laura Swanson (Elizabeth Bennett). However, she does not get the job as she is not qualified enough. Meanwhile, Martin has problems buying tampons and Lucy complains about bank charges.

Martin and Julie injure themselves when they get drunk, and the following day they find Gran unconscious. At the hospital, Martin promises God that he will give up drink if Gran survives. The doctor then tells them that Gran had alcohol poisoning, and Martin feels guilty. He then gives up drink and tries to show everyone that he cares about them. However, very soon he leaves Gran at the golf course, and agrees with social services to take her back to the care home, a decision that Gran is very pleased about. Guests starring Martin Trenaman.

Duncan asks Martin to do him a favour, which will help Henry Clegg, a friend of Duncan's, get a knighthood. Meanwhile, Julie is very stressed and down, and thinks it is the menopause, and Martin has to assure that her that he will not leave her for someone younger.