Ben is bored and missing the football season, while Bill and Rona are also feeling listless. Meanwhile, Jenny's boyfriend sets off to buy a ring.

Bill is looking forward to a quiet, relaxing time at home, but fate intervenes.

Bill's not keen to agree to owning a family pet. Ben suggests they create an imaginary dog for two weeks - but they end up with three real ones.

Ben's disaffection with his age leads him into a vulnerable situation when he applies to join a plumbers' secret society known only as the Brotherhood of the Plunger.

Bill is locked inside a wardrobe wearing only a fur coat. Ben is facing a midlife crisis.

Rona turns up with an abandoned baby, which crawls under the floorboards. Ben finds a novel way of coping when he starts to feel depressed about his age.

Bill, Ben, Rona and David end up as stowaways on a cruise ship. Jenny is stuck at home with Bette and Aunt Pearl, who set about making Christmas dinner.