Not Going Out

- Season 9

(2018)

When her parents go on holiday Lucy persuades Lee to help her tidy up after the builders in their new kitchen extension but within minutes Lee has ruined their artificial lawn. He manages to replace it and wipe the CCTV evidence but the plan is not foolproof - as he discovers.

For Lee's birthday surprise Lucy arranges a puzzle game for them, their parents and Anna and Toby. They are locked in a cellar and have to escape before a hypothetical bomb - to which Lee is hand-cuffed - explodes. Frank annoys Geoffrey by spotting more clues than him but then the party discovers that the organizer is a crazed, vengeful loser and that the bomb may be real. They have only seconds left to save themselves . . .

When their son's toy key ring is missing Lee and Lucy blame Anna and Toby's son Jack. Jack appears to be innocent but Lee is unconvinced and steals the key ring back. Then Anna arrives with an announcement which requires a stealth mission, ending in embarrassment.

Lee reluctantly agrees to the children having a pet rabbit but instead they opt for an ugly hairless rat who turns out to be constipated and needs regular attention. Lee returns it without telling the rest of the family and lies about his actions but an act of kindness by Toby almost catches him out.

Lee and Lucy are invited to dinner by Anna and Toby but Lee is desperate to watch a TV show and gets Lucy to lie that Molly is ill. However they are close to being caught out when Anna and Toby turn up to check on Molly, leading Lee to tell a series of even bigger lies - which soon spiral out of control, threatening his marriage.

When Lucy puts the family on a healthy eating regime she is upset to find that Fred, the school lollipop man, has been giving the children sweets and, rather than upset the old man by a direct approach, she and Lee complain - anonymously - to the council. Unfortunately this leads to Fred's suspension and an angry backlash against the unknown complainants. Lucy's efforts to help out make matters worse - but it does put an end to the unpopular healthy eating.

Encouraged by Anna, Lucy considers breast enlargement, hoping it will restore the femininity she felt when younger. Lee is not keen and, on Toby's advice, tells her she is perfect as she is, which only makes her more determined so Lee agrees to support her, accompanying her to see the surgeon. This results in an argument, leading to Lucy's ultimate decision.

Dragooned into organising a Christmas variety show to raise money for their children's school, Lee and Lucy find quality acts thin on the ground.