Alison and Paul Hughes throw a party for their five year old son Joe's birthday, joined by her brother, brewery manager Eddie and his girlfriend Nicola, who is not popular with the family as she has cuckolded him, and her widowed father Maurice. Nicola, a doctor, believes that Joe may be autistic, an observation which is not well-received though Alison is prepared to consider her appraisal. She is annoyed to discover that Maurice took Joe to a doctor for tests behind her back and, accompanied by Paul, brings Joe to see Dr Waite, who confirms the little boy's autism. Maurice, meanwhile, fights off the attentions of his singing teacher Louise whilst Nicola has a confession to make. Written by don @ minifie-1

Concerned that Joe seems isolated at school Alison considers home tuition, asking the family to pitch in and gets Eddie to approach Nicola for advice from her ex-lover Michael. He opposes the idea whilst wanting to resume the affair. Paul visits a special school after witnessing a violent tantrum from his son and argues with Alison over the best plans for Joe's future. The whole family though is thrown into chaos when Joe disappears and is discovered at the school, which he seemingly wants to attend. Paul, however, has other plans for Joe's future, shocking Alison. Written by don @ minifie-1

Alison introduces speech therapist Maggie White to the family, despite her being an old enemy at school. Maggie draws attention to divisions within the family itself, driving Maurice towards Louise for sex but, shocked that Paul is thinking of selling his café for funding for Joe's special school Maurice offers to finance it himself, to Eddie's annoyance. However Maggie moves on, suggesting another case worker and Joe comes close to showing up his parents at sister Rebecca's school play, sending Rebecca to seek comfort with boyfriend Luke. Written by don @ minifie-1

Alison and Paul present Joe's special needs to his headmistress but little help seems forthcoming and Alison takes a job at the school as a voluntary reading tutor. She invites two of Joe's friends for a sleep-over but it is disrupted when Joe is sick. However his time off school leads to a better rapport, if temporary, with his mother. Meanwhile Nicola and Eddie find out about Maurice's arrangement with Louise and Paul is not amused to learn that Eddie has intervened in Rebecca's relationship with Luke. Written by don @ minifie-1

To Alison's horror Maya, the brewery worker who has made great progress with Joe, is revealed as an illegal immigrant and deported, causing a blow to Joe's development. A further rift occurs when Paul finds out that Alison does not share his desire for another child. Maurice falls out with Eddie who considers leaving the brewery and Rebecca's attempt to get revenge on Luke for dumping her almost costs Nicola her promotion chances. Written by don @ minifie-1

Alison and Paul put on a united front as he opens his restaurant with Maurice taking Joe for a walk to get him out of the way. They end up at Louise's where Maurice makes an uneasy suggestion, which is rejected. However Joe disappears, leading to a full scale search and he parents having to admit his autism. He is eventually found by Rebecca's ex-boyfriend Luke and Alison and Paul reconcile with their family whilst Eddie makes a snap decision. Written by don @ minifie-1