As Time Goes By

With Lionel's father and step-mother off yak-riding in Mongolia, Jean and Lionel decide to head off for the Hardcastle country home. There they are "adopted" by the country set who have scheduled a whirlwind of social activities for them.

Lionel unexpectedly receives a letter from his ex-wife Margaret. When he and Jean meet with her, Margaret is far from the frumpy woman Lionel remembers; she has a young boy toy and dripping with jewels!

In search for a hobby to help occupy his time, Lionel takes to model boat building. Jean and company become concerned with this new pastime and take action.

On their last trip to the country, both Jean and Lionel were unsettled by the constant annoyance of the country set. They try stealthily sneaking into his family country home without anyone seeing them.

Alistair announces the mini-series based on their romance is due to broadcast in the United States in September. Lionel is miffed at the re-write to his script and refuses to attend the premiere. Judy and Sandy leap at the chance to go.

Penny is convinced she will not be long in this world as she prepares for a routine hospital stay. Lionel and Jean get the job of looking after Stephen while she is away.

When Lionel and Jean made a stand against the ghastly country set several weeks earlier, they became very popular with the villagers. Those same villagers now shower the couple with gifts ranging from a barrel of spirits to a piglet.