Life Begins

It's the children's half term and Maggie and Phil go on holiday to the Peak District with their best friends Clare and Guy. Once there Phil tells Maggie he is unhappy and wants to leave her once the holiday is over.

Maggie starts work at the travel agency, but she finds that she is not good at her job. After causing a scene when Phil comes in to book a romantic weekend break for himself and Anna, Jeff tries to let Maggie go after her month's trial.

Maggie and Phil begin mediation but he is less than honest about his earnings. The process breaks down and Maggie threatens to bring in the CSA, but with the children caught in the middle she backs down.

After suffering the embarrassment of having to ask for the morning after pill following her one night stand, Maggie realises she is after companionship - so her friends set up a dinner party with a blind date in attendance.

Maggie answers lonely hearts ads and tries out speed dating in a bid to improve her social life, but is reticent to reveal that she is a single woman with children.

Maggie and Paul embark on a tentative relationship, as Maggie tries to keep it a secret from her children. Meanwhile, Phil and Anna break up and Phil is keen to return home, but will Maggie want him back any more?