Series 4

Simon has to accept that Samantha's coming of age when she tells him that she likes a young man named Jeremy, causing his paternal, protective instincts to surface. When Jeremy asks him to tell Samantha something on his behalf, Simon fears the worst. Meanwhile, Derek learns that Muriel is pregnant.

Simon and Samantha are pleased for Nell that her friendship with Pinky is progressing and encourage Pinky to propose. They're all shocked when she meets Major Pendleton who, whilst having a wife in Canada, books the local church for a wedding in the name of Pendleton.

Simon and Nell have a falling-out after he rejects her offer to help in the agency. Hurt, she announces that she's moving to Spain. Samantha attempts to get them to reconcile but in vain. Isobel tells Simon that Samantha has run away from home and will only return when her grandmother and father reconcile! Meanwhile, Derek smartens himself up and wins a fashion contract.

Samantha calls her pet hamster Uncle Derek, due to its facial resemblance to her father's business partner. The hamster falls ill and, when Fergus overhears Samantha bewailing the fact that 'Poor old Uncle Derek might die', he gets the wrong idea.

Realising he's neglecting Samantha, Simon sends Derek in his place on his Zurich business trip. However, Derek misses the flight and, so as not to lose face with his wife, stays at the Harraps for the weekend before going to the Swiss Centre to buy presents for the family from his supposed trip.

Simon is left a large sum in a will but it must be shared with another family member, whose surname is Appleby, the same as Fergus, who is not in Simon's good books, having borrowed and broken Eyecatchers equipment.

Samantha and Emma are due to go on a French exchange visit but Derek is unsure if he can afford it and Simon believes Samantha should not go so that her friend is not envious. Nell comes up with the money and, at the evening to meet the host families, Simon sees Samantha getting very friendly indeed with the son, the handsome Michel.

Isobel meets young teacher Alan, who is shortly leaving for Africa and who asks her to his flat for 'a single night of love'. Fearing he is just using her for sex, she seeks Samantha to ask Simon for advice, which leads to a misunderstanding when he thinks she is referring to herself and her boyfriend.

Samantha is unhappy when Simon seems likely to marry his current girlfriend Ellen. Whilst he initially denies any plans, he realises that he really wants to walk her down the aisle. When Nell meets Ellen, she's struck by her resemblance to her daughter, Simon's late wife.

Liz gets the chance to star in a commercial filming in the Canary Islands and so Nell suggests Simon replace her with her friend Winifred, who has split from her husband and has time on her hands. Though efficient, Winifred is no ray of sunshine and then Liz returns – her acting career cut short when the director got fresh with her.

Isobel recommends her excellent dentist to Simon but as he's leaving for his appointment, he's waylaid by the formidable Mrs Grant, who accuses her son Kevin's girlfriend Samantha of being a poor influence.

A larger agency wants to take over Eyecatchers, employing Simon but not Derek who, unaware of this, comes to Simon for a rise, though Simon is out and Samantha tells Derek she too wants a rise in her allowance.

Nell's recent talk of life and death pertubs Simon and Samantha, sending the teen into an existential crisis. Meanwhile, Derek and Muriel are expecting.