As Time Goes By

Alistair has decided he wants Lionel to be photographed for the cover of his book but Lionel is anxious about the idea. Convinced that the photo will avert potential buyers, Lionel grows more concerned. While Jean at first declines to accompany him to the studio, she later decides to join him and is amused at the photographer's tricks.

Judy has been dropping hints about Jean and Lionel, making Jean quite uncomfortable. While Judy says she is going away for the weekend and Alistair says the same, Jean automatically thinks they're going together. With the impending vacant house for the weekend, Jean becomes increasingly nervous and tries everything short of ridiculous to avoid spending the weekend with Lionel.

Lionel and Jean take a trip to Hampshire to meet his father. The 85 year old Mr. Hardcastle defies stereotype. He is an outgoing eccentric with a house crammed full of items which reflect his interests he reveals his plans to marry his housekeeper.

Lionel and Jean work on getting him a suitable outfit for his impending book launch. Meanwhile, Lionel cannot figure why a talented publisher like Alistair is working so hard to promote his book and wonders why anyone would put so much effort into a book that will never be a best seller.

A chance meeting with Jean's sister-in-law Penny leads to a weekend in the country and a tricky situation for Lionel and Jean. Not wanting to admit to Penny that their relationship goes back four decades, Jean fibs that they have known one another for only a few months.

Since her intimate weekend with Lionel, Jean's personal life has become the main topic of conversation between Judy and Sandy. Then, Lionel offers Jean a vacation with him on a cruise ship but makes the mistake of admitting the cruise would be free. With Alistair's support, Lionel gets ready for the final endorsement before the book is launched.

With Lionel's book finally on the shelves, Alistair has him in every book shop personally autographing the books. Jean, desperate to help Lionel, is phoning everyone she knows persuading them to buy Lionel's book. Then, Alistair comes up another with a wild idea to help push book sales.