Business is slow in the Café and Carol spends the morning goading Sarah about not having a boyfriend and trying to set her up with anyone she can think of who might be single. Richard pops in to tell them he’s ordered a new car off the internet but the exciting news about his new Clio is overshadowed by the roar of John’s Porsche as he pulls up outside the Café. As the rest of the gang arrive for their regular tea break they get more than they expected when faced with their old school friend John. Once a pudgy bully, now a handsome successful businessman, why is he back and more importantly does his return mean a potential love interest for her daughter asks Carol? But why is Carol spending so much time worrying about her daughter’s love life when she could be going for a drink with Stan?

The Dobsons are in for afternoon tea, but which goes first, the jam or the cream? Fortunately Stan is on hand to referee the dispute, giving Sarah a chance to make some calls to agents and see if any of them are interested in the children’s stories she has been writing, as well as to help Kieran with his online dating profile. John is still in town but for how long, and will the spark between him and Sarah have a chance to ignite? And what is going on with Carol and the Cafe?

It’s the day that Carol launches her exclusive new menu in an attempt to appeal to a wider clientele, but are her regulars ready for chai lattes and ciabatta? Brenda Kiely pops in for a "friendly" chat with Carol about the Council’s plans for the re-development of the seafront, but Carol smells a rat about her intentions. It seems it might take more than her new menu to help the Café balance its books. Meanwhile Sarah’s friends are busy trying to get a team together for the quiz night at their local pub. Will John agree to make up the numbers, and what will Richard make of Sarah inviting him? And why has no-one thought of inviting Ava?

There’s an air of excitement at Cyril’s as our regulars get ready for a night out at Sing Along Sound of Music. Chloe is on hand to do Mary’s makeup and is desperate to know if anything happened between Sarah and John at Quiz night. Carol meanwhile is frantically preparing for an important meeting with her accountant before the mini bus arrives to take them. Will Stan’s broad shoulders be there for her to lean on? Will John show up as promised? And why, again, has no-one thought of inviting Ava?

It’s a big day for Sarah’s friends and family as they wait to find out how her meeting with a literary agent in Bristol has gone. The first person Sarah calls to share her news with is Richard, but why isn’t he answering his phone? Today is also the day that Brenda Kiely makes her formal offer to Carol for the lease of Cyril’s. But if that wasn’t enough for Carol to worry about it seems she has even bigger concerns. Where is Stan? He always comes in every day with fresh cuttings for her and everyone has noticed that he hasn’t been in today. Has something happened between them? What will this mean for their friendship?

Today is the day that Carol is due to give her answer to Brenda Kiely about whether or not she will sign over the lease of the café. Today is also Carol’s birthday and her family, friends and Cyril’s regulars have organised a surprise birthday party for her to cheer her up. As an unsuspecting Carol has her hair done in the kitchen by Chloe, thinking she is getting ready for a meal out in town, the Café fills with well wishers all wanting to celebrate her big day and hoping against all the odds that Carol will be able to refuse Brenda’s offer. When the time comes for the big announcement what will Carol’s answer be?