Roger, Victor's cousin, accidentally invites the couple to his 60th birthday. Margaret collapses with exhaustion and Victor's attempts at nursing her back to health only make things worse. But Margaret's spirits pick up when Andrea Temple, the little girl who used to live next door, comes back to visit her old neighbours with her new baby. Victor is less enthusiastic. 

The Meldrews are back from holiday and find that Patrick and Pippa are trying to sell up to a man who's very interested in diving goggles. Margaret can take no more of their erratic existence and decides to embark on a reckless adventure that could change both her own and Victor's life for ever.