Victor, a temperamental 60-year-old, finds it difficult adjusting to his forced early retirement.

Victor becomes more depressed about his retirement when death seems to enter into his daily life.

Sardonic Victor's life continues to be a trial - someone paints graffiti on the side of his house and the central heating system is making a deafening noise. To add to that there's a nasty smell coming from the living-room.

Victor is convinced he is going insane when, after being trapped in a shed by a swarm of bees, he is stuck in the optician's for a day with his eyes shut, and then left to babysit some unruly children.

Victor takes up drawing at a life class, but Margaret's enthusiasm for his new hobby wanes when she discovers that he has given the model a lift home.

Before the Meldrews can leave for their holiday in Athens, they must cope with Victor's fear of flying, Mrs Warboys' food poisoning, and a snake on the loose.