It's 1992 and the queen isn't the only one having an annus horribilis. In Stockport, Kath, Martin and Diane are all trying to get along. Martin is down on his luck, Kath is doing her best to play happy families, and Diane is now running Parker's electrical store with Sandy Copper. Tonight is the most prestigious night of the year, the Stockport Trade Awards, and Parker's is up for the night's big award. Diane is a bag of nerves, so Kath tags along to support her sister. Martin has to swallow his pride and get a manual job. Nobody's night turns out the way they hoped.

Kath wakes up in Sandy's hotel room and tries to convince him to give Martin a job. Martin and Diane both rush to Kath's aid but things don't go to plan and they know they're all in deep trouble.