Tue, Sep 25, 1990
Ruth visits,accusing Tony - wrongly - of having had sex with Dawn and announcing that she will not be accompanying him to Stephanie's school open day. He takes the staff instead and an angry Stephanie runs off before telling him she is unsettled by her parents' situation. At least Mrs Wembley acquires an influential new admirer,Sir Douglas Hoyle,chairman of the school governors who comes home to cook zabaglione with her.
Tue, Sep 18, 1990
Ruth has not returned and Tony asks Dawn to act as a model at his stall advertising his business at an up-coming trade fair. Maggie and Mrs Wembley accompany Dawn to a shop to buy a dress for the occasion,where a woman claims to recognize Mrs Wembley as a Miss Hayward,which she denies. At the fair a group of young upper class louts insult Dawn and Tony and his staff join forces to see them off. Back at the house Dawn expresses her gratitude to the others for coming to her defence and later propositions Tony,though he turns her down. Mrs Wembley explains that she is Miss Hayward,Wembley being the name of the man she hoped to marry,killed in the Korean war.
Mon, Nov 2, 1992
Ruth demands a family meeting as she wants a divorce and wants to know with whom Stephanie will be living. Stephanie explains that she is sick of being in the middle and expected to take sides and opts to go with Tony's mother. Everybody is thrilled to learn that Ruth will be moving in with her boyfriend Stephen and that they will never have to see her again. To celebrate Maggie kisses Sam and Tony asks Jane Webster out to dinner.
Tue, Sep 11, 1990
Tony worries how he will explain Ruth walking out on him to his mother. Further concerns about her health push Tony to consider getting her to move in with him. Ruth complicates matters by wanting the question of Stephanie's school open day resolved. Tony and Ruth consider reconciliation, conditional whether they can go a week without a fight
Tue, Oct 9, 1990
Sam gets a call to drive a mystery woman to the airport. It turns out to be Ruth,who is going on holiday with a new lover but did not have the guts to tell Tony herself and wanted Sam to pass on the message. Tony is,however,much cheered when Sir Douglas,now dating Mrs Wembley,agrees to put in a word for him to join the golf club.
Mon, Oct 5, 1992
Dawn is a regular visitor to Tony's house as Maggie is helping her pass her English exams but Maggie cannot resist telling Ruth that Dawn and Tony have gone fishing together. As a result Ruth spitefully tries to sack Maggie,causing Sam and Mrs Wembley to walk out. However Tony reinstates all of them and Ruth returns to London defeated. Maggie is nonetheless taking a holiday to visit her folks so Mrs Wembley suggests Dawn improve her social skills by acting as Tony's temporary secretary.
Fri, Oct 4, 1991
Tony's mother decides to move back to London,believing she is the reason Ruth is living apart from her son. She goes to see her and tells her not to be a part-time wife though it has little effect and Ruth stays in the flat. Tony takes Stephanie back to school,where he meets Jane Webster,a charming and down-to-earth single parent and they go for a meal together. It is not long before the staff know all about it.
Tue, Oct 2, 1990
Tony employs his first woman driver, a strident feminist who almost causes a walk-out. Maggie's dour father also comes to visit and makes it clear he has no truck with working class people living above their stations. Fortunately both matters are resolved thanks to Tony's mum as he organizes her birthday party at his house.
Mon, Oct 26, 1992
Tony plays tennis with Jane before taking her to the house,where she makes a very good impression on the staff. Before she and Tony can get cosy Ruth storms in,angry that Stephanie went to stay with her grandma without telling her and announcing that she is leaving Tony for good. Tony suggests they see his mother to get Stephanie's side of things but Stephanie and her Gran are at the greyhound races.
Tue, Sep 4, 1990
Tony Carpenter has come to grips with his wife leaving. She's always been driving force behind the energy in the house and the social climbing that Tony needs as a self made man. As Tony comforts his daughter Stephanie, they wonder if this is the final straw or will she be back. The house is then thrown into an uproar when news comes through Stephanie has run away from school.