It is Christmas and the whole Gardner family are gathered together for the first time in many years. But the events that follow will change their lives irrevocably and ensure that this is the last Christmas they will all spend together.

Joe prepares for his bicycle race as Sam has to come to a final decision about his marriage to Debbie and his overwhelming love for Kay. Anne discovers she is pregnant while Lindley awaits the birth of her first baby and Jack is introduced to the business world.

As the year comes full circle three couples kindle, reaffirm and extinguish romantic feelings.