In their idyllic Lake District home the extended Hughes family reunites for Joe’s fifth birthday party. But tensions soon rise among Alison, Paul, and patriarch Maurice.
Following Joe’s autism diagnosis Paul, Alison, and Rebecca clash over how best to deal with his first week at school. Eddie is troubled by thoughts of Nicola’s ex-lover Michael.
Alison gets a blast from her past when speech and language therapist Maggie arrives to assess Joe. For the family it’s time to face some uncomfortable truths.
An impromptu attempt to win Joe some friends leads to a breakthrough moment for Alison...but how long can it last? Maurice and Louise come to blows over Joe.
Alison is hit hard when Joe’s helper Maya looks set to be deported. As Paul and Eddie discover their wives both want different things, Maurice is left kicking himself for letting Louise go.
Alison brokers a peace deal with Paul in time for the gastropub opening, but plans for their big day are shattered when Joe goes missing. Finally, Alison knows she must tell the community the truth.
Morven Christie
Alison Hughes
Julie Hesmondalgh
Heather
Greg McHugh
Eddie Scott
Vinette Robinson
Nicola Daniels
Lee Ingleby
Paul Hughes