Eldest daughter Lorraine is having a trial separation from husband Raymond, who is trying to find alternative accommodation assisted by Fellow traffic-warden Elsie. Youngest son Nigel, home for the weekend, borrows Arthur's car, but it runs out of gas and, before the garage can pick it up, it is stolen. Meanwhile, neighbor Trevor is missing his wife Vera, who is away with her sister in Wales, and seeks a drink in the greenhouse with Arthur.

Arthur returns home from work to find that Beryl has decided to cook Trevor a wonderful steak meal, and give him the only remaining piece of Arthur's favorite apple pie. Raymond calls round to find Edward Hackett, the local estate agent, is dating Lorraine. Even though they are temporarily separated, Raymond warns Hackett to keep away. When this goes unheeded, the consequences have repercussions which affect Beryl, Arthur and Trevor.

Beryl is desperately missing her noisy brood, who have all left home. So Arthur decides to cheer her up by inviting them all to a surprise dinner. On the night, when all the children have assembled, Beryl phones to say she is spending the evening with a friend. Arthur goes to get her, and returns to find an empty house and all the food gone.

Arthur and Beryl try to keep the peace as daughter Lorraine and son-in-Iaw Raymond find new friends, romance and jealousies. Raymond is trying his luck with fellow traffic-warden Elsie, and Lorraine has met an accountant, Anthony Black. But the real problems arise when all four meet in the Crabtree house.

Arthur and Beryl's plans to go away for a well-earned break are thwarted by unexpected family crises. An ailing Nigel returns suddenly to the nest; Lorraine and Raymond are again experiencing marital problems; then daughter Tracy and son Paul turn up for a romantic assignation, each thinking the house will be empty.

Beryl decides she wants to go out to work, and persuades Arthur to let her apply for a job in his office. But complications set in when Beryl's rival turns out to be the boss's mistress.