It's Alison Braithwaite's 40th birthday and her youngest daughter, Charlotte, gives her a ticket for the first ever Euro-lottery. Alison wins the jackpot: £38 million! She decides she wants to do something worthwhile with the money. She asks accountant, Pauline, and old friend, Marion, to help her set up a charity. Alison says she will tell her family about the win. She's just not ready to tell them yet.

Alison makes progress with her charitable trust plans. David plans to spend a night with Elaine, but ends up in more trouble than he expected when he finds it hard juggling the lies he is telling. Sarah is a success in her school play, however, when she reveals her true feelings for her drama teacher, she gets a nasty surprise when he turns out not to be gay, but to have a girlfriend and a new baby. Virginia gets mugged but reveals to her mother that she is a lesbian. Alison, on impulse, reveals her secret regarding her lottery win to Virginia, with dire consequences.