Shelley is still gainfully unemployed and his honest approach at interviews isn't exactly improving his job prospects. When an opportunity arises for a plum job at the foreign office, Fran and Mrs H feel a slightly different approach might see him going places.

Shelley isn't impressed when his local pub is destined for a kitsch makeover. He gets yet more grief at the Labour Exchange, who seem determined to put an end to his cushy lifestyle and endless payouts. Meanwhile, Fran has some news that may make him finally want to change his layabout ways.

Visiting a health shop, Shelley is appalled at the high prices of some of the items. The moment he and Fran have long dreaded has arrived. Travelling by train, they arrive at the country home/farm of Gordon Smith, Fran's rich Dad.

Shelley is working on an ad campaign for striped pyjamas when a crisis interrupts his train of thought. A fellow lodger, Miss Landis, is so lonely and depressed in the big city she takes an overdose of sleeping pills.

Shelley is dragged back to reality as he endures a painful visit to the labour exchange to sign back on. He's prepared himself well though for the rocky road that lies ahead but will his attempts to talk his way out of an honest day's work fall on deaf ears?

With Fran busy at her ante-natal class, Shelley seeks solace in a cafe. His peace is short-lived though, when he seems to attract the attentions of the local nutter.

Shelley, now in work, looks for somewhere to live with wife-to-be Fran and their impending child. A visit to the local Bank leads them nowhere to getting a mortgage as they don't have a bank account.

Shelley wants to buy an old book in a junk shop but the dealer tries to make him think it is worth far more than it really is. After a protracted debate, the dealer agrees to let him have it for nothing.

Shelley's tube train gets stuck in a tunnel, and doesn't appear to be moving anytime soon. With terminal boredom ensuing, he decides the best course of action is to break the ice with his fellow-travellers and give them the benefit of his ready wit and repartee.

Shelley and his girlfriend Fran are looking for accomadation. After viewing unsuitable properties, they find a room at Mrs Hawkins' house.

Shelley and Fran are in their bed-sit as usual. She is engrossed in a dog-eared copy of George Orwell's 'Keep The Aspidistra Flying' while he tries to strike up a conversation with her.

After a long period of inactivity, Shelley is psyching himself up for signing off at long last at the job centre with his new job at the foreign office waiting. But, with government cutbacks announced, what could possibly go wrong?

Baby Emma won't stop crying, and Shelley and Fran are at their wits' ends. Mrs H soon comes calling, and suggests they seek medical help. But, at this time of night, it may not be quite the professional help they'd hoped for!

Mrs H comes over to babysit Emma, allowing Shelley and Fran a rare night out together at the cinema. The film doesn't quite live up to their expectations, so they retire to the pub. The only problem is, their funds are in short supply, and the topic of conversation soon turns to armageddon!

The utility billls are piling up in the Shelley household but, with his ongoing unemployed status still unresolved, the money isn't actually there to pay them. Desperate measures are called for, Shelley gets himself down to the DHSS office to see if they can bail him out.

Desmond's rather attractive young niece Anne-Marie comes to visit and Shelley takes rather a shine to her. Could love be in the air for the old cynic or will this possibly romantic encounter end up all-too-brief?

Following a drunken evening stint as Nelson at the Victory pub, Shelley wakes up in the morning next to a strange woman. He has some serious explaining to do, not to mention waking up to the reality of finding some permanent gainful employment.

Shelley has finally completed his week doing a 'proper' job at an advertising agency, but is a bit shocked when he sees how much tax is deducted from his first pay packet. Could it be that proposing marriage to Fran will lessen his financial burdens and provide much-needed tax relief?

Shelley and Fran are spending the night in their new house, which is undergoing renovation. Fran hears something scuttling inside in a bin liner and Shelley admits he forgot to throw the bag out. Their debate on whether to dispose of the rodent mutates into a heated discussion on his job.

Shelley's efforts at DIY at the new house are starting to take shape, he's managed to put up a shelf in the kitchen at least. All this hard graft though gets interrupted when his friend Paul comes to call and as usual is in a spot of bother.

Shelley is busy rewiring the kitchen and installing spotlights though he seems to be getting into a bit of a tangle. Worse still, there appears to be a serious case of dry rot under the stairs. Will some expert help enlighten him or leave him left with his wires all crossed?

The day has finally arrived, and Fran is about to give birth. Things move fast and Shelley needs to rush to the hospital to be at her side. Fran not only has to deal with childbirth but also with Shelley's incessant banter.

Shelley is dismayed when Fran starts divorce proceedings against him meaning they both have to hire lawyers. But can his insatiable inability to get out of bed in the mornings really be grounds for a degree absolute?

Shelley has to come up with a sales campaign for a new range of Instant Paella. The stuff proves hard to market as it is virtually tasteless.

Shelley has a bit of a rude awakening in the morning - he's somehow pulled his back during the night. After a visit to the library, and finally the doctor, he's still none the wiser as to the cause of his ailment.