Christmas is just around the corner in Chigwell, and there are big changes in the women's lives. Dorien is now ruling the roost, having bought the house, and she and Tracey have been getting on each other's nerves. To make matters worse, Tracey is missing sister Sharon, who is stuck on a cruise ship in Costa Rica, and Dorien is up to her old tricks with a rich dentist. Does he know what he's getting himself into?

It's Christmas in Chigwell and the Birds are back. Tracey has got big plans that could upset the festive harmony in the house, Sharon has found a novel way of doing her Christmas shopping and Dorien has got a mystery to solve. What could possibly go wrong?

Sharon, Tracey and Dorien embark on an adventure to Tangier, Morocco to search for Tracey's missing son, Travis. Travis has finally been allowed to fly the nest on a gap year…to Spain. However, nobody has heard from Travis in four days and he was last seen getting on a ferry to Morocco with his girlfriend. Tracey is convinced something terrible has happened to him. She's on the next flight and Sharon, not one to pass up on the chance of a holiday, insists she's going with her. Dorien invites herself along as it's a great opportunity to get material for her saucy new book.

On arriving in Tangier, the Birds end up in Dicks Bar run by Vince (Martin Kemp) Dorien's romantic interest at Darryl's funeral. Vince reviews the bar's CCTV footage to see Travis being arrested in a police raid. Tracey heads to the police station with British Consul Rupert Julian-Jones (Robert Portal) in tow. Travis explains that the police are convinced he's involved with a gang operation to smuggle a load of antiquities out of Morocco, but Travis swears he hasn't got a clue what they're talking about.

Meanwhile, Garth is home alone in Chigwell, but soon he's facing an inquisitive and slightly sinister Insurance assessor, who is determined to find out the truth behind Sharon's latest attempt to get something for nothing – a compensation fraud. Garth hatches a plan to see him off once and for all with the help of a face from the past.

Back in Tangier, a further mishap ensues with the Birds getting kidnapped by some unsavoury types. Suddenly Rupert appears to save the day and tells Tracey that their kidnapping proves that the gang believe Travis knows a lot more than he's letting on. Dorien suspects Rupert staged the kidnap to gain their trust. The Birds drive off without him but they run out of petrol in the middle of the desert. Dorien's not prepared to sit around doing nothing, so she heads off into the desert for help.

Sharon and Tracey spend a fitful night in the desert and out of the shimmering heat haze they see someone approaching on a camel – it's Dorien doing an Omar Sharif. Turns out there's a Holiday Inn just over the next sand dune but Dorien got distracted by a charming man and cocktails.

After more run ins with Rupert, the Birds find themselves trapped in Morocco with a dodgy gang after them – how will they escape? And will they get back to Chigwell in time for Christmas?

Sharon and Tracey believe that Dorien may soon be turning 70 years old, and whether she likes it or not they are determined to celebrate.

Travis has news about school that he's worried to break to his mum. Sharon thinks that she can easily pass herself off as Tracey and solve all Travis' problems, but her efforts lead the family into a mess that only Dorien can get them out of.

Tracey is most welcoming when an attractive visitor named Emma turns up at her front door. Dorien is shocked, whilst Travis is over the moon.

Auntie Vera has a multitude of problems and so tells Sharon and Tracey that she is moving in. However with the one spare room currently housing Dorien, she is told family has to come first.

Tracey is annoyed with both Dorien and Sharon. She decides she has had enough of Dorien entertaining gentlemen callers and Sharon not bringing in a wage, so both of them are thrown out. The pair end up back at Sharon's old bedsit and realise that if they present a united front and stand up to Tracey they may get let back in, but will their truce last long enough to do so?

Sharon is disapproving of Tracey dating Barry. The sisters end up quareling as Tracey hasn't taken Garth's feelings into account either. Dorien hopes to solve the dispute, as she has started a new job, agony aunt for Get-a-Life magazine.

Tracey's house ends up burgled during Darryl's funeral. The family decide that they are the ones who have to track down the missing possessions and set out on a trail which involves the Theydon Boys drag club, a snooker club and a pawnbroker.

Tracey has to decide what sort of send-off to give her ex-husband when he dies. She has to contend with everyone else's opinion though as Sharon wants it to be all about the boys, Dorien has sorted out her outfit already and the criminal fraternity of Chigwell also want to make their mark.