Eldest daughter Lorraine is having a trial separation from husband Raymond, who is trying to find alternative accommodation assisted by Fellow traffic-warden Elsie. Youngest son Nigel, home for the weekend, borrows Arthur's car, but it runs out of gas and, before the garage can pick it up, it is stolen. Meanwhile, neighbor Trevor is missing his wife Vera, who is away with her sister in Wales, and seeks a drink in the greenhouse with Arthur.

Arthur and Beryl try to keep the peace as daughter Lorraine and son-in-Iaw Raymond find new friends, romance and jealousies. Raymond is trying his luck with fellow traffic-warden Elsie, and Lorraine has met an accountant, Anthony Black. But the real problems arise when all four meet in the Crabtree house.

Beryl decides she wants to go out to work, and persuades Arthur to let her apply for a job in his office. But complications set in when Beryl's rival turns out to be the boss's mistress.