Tracey is disgusted by the state of Sharon's bedroom and it also appears Sharon's poor levels of hygiene have spread throughout the house when Tracey discovers they have mice. After cleaning the house and buying poison, Sharon buys a cat, but it does not seem to have any effect. Eventually, Sharon rings pest control, who reveals that he has been at Dorien's house trying to get rid of a major mice infestation and the mice have come from her.

Tracey is doing her best to quit smoking and is undergoing psychotherapy, where she develops a crush on the psychotherapist, Gerald. Darryl suspects she is having an affair and forbids her to see Gerald again. Nonetheless, Tracey soon meets him in a wine bar. She tells Gerald of her feelings and he says they should not see each other again, as she has developed an emotional dependency. Sharon and Dorien then persuade Tracey not to tell Darryl the feelings she had for Gerald and before long she is back on the cigarettes.

Chris begs Sharon to visit him, but she tells him that she plans to sell her wedding ring and forget she ever met him. Then Chris reveals that one of his testicles is expanding, but Sharon doesn't believe him. He is soon diagnosed with a malignant tumor in the testicle. She goes to see him in hospital and Chris says he still loves her, but Sharon still wants their relationship to end. Tracey is annoyed by this, but Sharon wants to move on with her life. She does agree to continue seeing Chris on occasion.

With money tight, Sharon has taken a job, but Tracey seems reluctant to follow, despite Sharon and Dorien's encouragement. Tracey admits to having little confidence, having never been allowed to work during her marriage, but Sharon volunteers her to do some voluntary work for Siobhan, the editor of the prisoners' dependents newsletter. Sharon then goes with Tracey when she goes to apply for a receptionist job but is worried about the application form, which makes her realise how few qualifications and little experience she has. Sharon gets the job by lying on the application form.

Sharon and Tracel fall out over an inheritance.

With the café doing great business, Sharon's in the money, but Tracey is unhappy at being a kept woman.

Auntie Sylvie,just out of hospital,comes to convalesce with Tracey and Sharon and proves to be very demanding,as well as encouraging Garth to buy a motor-bike against his mother's wishes. They consider putting her in a home but feel unable to go through with it though fortunately she has a mind of her own.

Sharon needs eight grand up front when the landlords of her café want to increase the rent in line with her new lease. Tracey refuses to put her house up as collateral and Dorien, who has a few grand to dispose of for tax purposes, gives it to charity after Sharon insults her. Fortunately Sharon has confidence in herself as a business woman to meet the problem head on.

It's an explosive time in Chigwell, with upheavals for Sharon, Tracey and Dorien.

Tracey considers a move to the country, as Garth settles into the flat above the café.

Sharon is furious: Chris has applied for home leave!

Sharon is frantically trying to keep Chris out of her bed, and is prepared to go to any lengths to get a home of her own. Dorien is determined to win custody of the house and, posing as a barmaid, tracks down Marcus’s mistress in order to find out some home truths.

Dalentrace is in jeaopardy as Sharon and Tracey sink into debt; Dorien's generosity cannot be a permanent solution. Tracey is becoming a decisive woman, and is taking matters into her own hands. Garth, meanwhile, decides to move in with his girlfriend Kimberly.

Tracy and Sharon are now living in their new house, as Dor comes to visit after her recent trip to Monaco. She comes back with the news that she slept with Ralph Gardener, head of Central Water, who is currently all over the media. She comes up with the plan to cash in by making up a story about being pregnant. Meanwhile, Sharon decides that she wants to have a baby, and gets Dor to hook her up with someone, while Tracy is completely against both of their plans.

Sharon and Tracey are working at a casino and agree to take part in a publicity stunt in which Sharon 'appears' to win a million pounds. The sisters are unaware however that they have been set up as thieves by the owner.

When Sharon wrecks Tracey's bed, it is the final straw. She promises to get a job and make a contribution - especially with Tracey's baby on the way. A stint in an abattoir ends when she is sacked for stealing meat, but Dorien is looking for a cleaner.

Sharon attracts interest from an unexpected quarter, while Tracey pays a surreptitious visit to a clinic.

The day of Garth's wedding arrives, and Sharon finds herself having to adopt an unfamiliar role.