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After a long absence, a rejuvenated Stephen heads back to the John Barleycorn, just as Andrew is starting to feel restricted and weighed down by the mundanities of being a provincial pub owner. However, the opening of a rival pub just up the road evokes curiosity - especially when it becomes apparent that the new establishment needs a manager.

The return of Charismatic Mike, one of Ellen's ex-boyfriends, gives Stephen food for thought - if this whirlwind of a man is his biological father, maybe he isn't destined to be a poor copy of Laurie after all? Meanwhile, Alison's exasperation with her ageing parents leads to her getting help from an unlikely good Samaritan.

Stephen's on a health kick, Cass embraces student living and Geoff has a dramatic change in his relationship status. But things soon start to unravel.

The Barleycorn is called upon to host a pub quiz. Can Stephen redeem himself after he fumbled the jackpot question and incurred his dad's fury last time?

Andrew helps Alison's parents to make a life-changing decision. So Alison and Stephen conspire to solve the Andrew problem once and for all. Meanwhile, Geoff's relationship collapses.

Stephen and Alison try to track down Andrew's birth mother, but have they crossed a line?