Caroline's agency is going through a lean time and she borrows money from the house-keeping,which leads Charlie to start an austerity drive, rationing electricity and buying in bulk from the Cash & Carry. He also confiscates Caroline's credit cards when she buys clothes on the sly. A hoped-for deal with top customer Hamilton falls through but Charlie tells Caroline that things will improve and they still have each other.

When rain water,leaking in from a hole in Caroline's bedroom window,starts dripping downstairs,Charlie suggests that Caroline's entire bedroom be renovated and Dan's father,professional builder Jim,takes on the job. However Charlie interferes so much that it leads to a row and Charlie sacking Jim. He then takes on the work himself,helped by the boys,but the results are a disaster and Caroline reinstates Jim,the proviso being that Charlie keeps out of his way.