Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Family Dynamics | 19980406 | 20240304 (BBC7) 20240305 (BBC7) | The complications facing parents when a marriage breaks down and a new relationship begins. Joanna Trollope's novel about the traumas and delights of adjusting to a step-family. Abridged in ten parts by Pat McLoughlin. Producer: Di Speirs The complications facing parents when a marriage breaks down and a new relationship begins. Read by Penelope Wilton. |
| 02 | A Bitter Break-up | 19980407 | 20240305 (BBC7) 20240306 (BBC7) | After her marriage breaks down, Nadine is fuelled with bitterness towards her ex-husband. Joanna Trollope's novel about the traumas and delights of adjusting to a step-family. Abridged by Pat McLoughlin. Producer: Di Speirs After her marriage breaks down, Nadine is fuelled with bitterness towards her ex-husband. Read by Penelope Wilton. |
| 03 | A New Stepfamily | 19980408 | 20240306 (BBC7) 20240307 (BBC7) | Josie wants to be the perfect stepmother for her partner's children. |
| 04 | Family Feuds And Single Parenting | 19980409 | 20240307 (BBC7) 20240308 (BBC7) | Bitter Nadine struggles with her unexpected new life as a single mum. |
| 05 | Wedding Bells With Stepchildren | 19980410 | 20240308 (BBC7) 20240309 (BBC7) | Tom plans a third marriage to Elizabeth, but how will they cope with his possessive daughter? Joanna Trollope's novel about the traumas and delights of adjusting to a step-family. Abridged by Pat McLoughlin. Producer: Di Speirs Tom plans a third marriage to Elizabeth, but will they cope with his possessive daughter? Tom plans a third marriage to Elizabeth, but how will they cope with his possessive daughter? Read by Penelope Wilton. |
| 06 | Rivalries | 19980413 | 20240311 (BBC7) 20240312 (BBC7) | After their divorce, Tom and Josie have both settled down with new partners. But the children are finding it hard adjusting to their new lives – with Dale making it difficult for Tom and Elizabeth... Joanna Trollope's novel about the traumas and delights of adjusting to a step-family. Abridged by Pat McLoughlin. Producer: Di Speirs Dale disrupts her father's relationship with Elizabeth. Read by Penelope Wilton. Dale disrupts her father's relationship with Elizabeth. Continuing the novel about step-family traumas. Read by Penelope Wilton. |
| 07 | New Arrivals | 19980414 | 20240312 (BBC7) 20240313 (BBC7) | Stepmother Josie struggles when Matthew's three children move in with them. |
| 08 | Tempers Fray | 19980415 | 20240313 (BBC7) 20240314 (BBC7) | After more family conflict, Matthew's daughter Becky finds an unexpected ally in her stepmother Josie. Joanna Trollope's novel about the traumas and delights of adjusting to a step-family. Abridged by Pat McLoughlin. Producer: Di Speirs Matthew's daughter Becky finds an unexpected ally in her stepmother Josie. Read by Penelope Wilton. |
| 09 | Family Turmoil And Repercussions | 19980416 | 20240314 (BBC7) 20240315 (BBC7) | Elizabeth faces a dilemma now that Tom's daughter Dale has decided to move back into the family home. Joanna Trollope's novel about the traumas and delights of adjusting to a step-family. Abridged in ten parts by Pat McLoughlin. Producer: Di Speirs Elizabeth faces a dilemma when Tom's daughter Dale decides to move into the family home. Elizabeth faces a dilemma now that Tom's daughter Dale has decided to move back into the family home. Read by Penelope Wilton. |
| 10 LAST | Trials And Triumphs | 19980417 | 20240315 (BBC7) 20240316 (BBC7) | Relationships falter under the strains of living as a step-family when decisions need to be made. Joanna Trollope's novel about the traumas and delights of adjusting to a step-family. Abridged by Pat McLoughlin. Concluded by Penelope Wilton. Producer: Di Speirs Relationships falter when decisions need to be made. Read by Penelope Wilton. Relationships falter under the strain of living as a step-family when decisions need to be made. Concluded by Penelope Wilton. |