A Sharp Intake of Breath

- Season 1

(1978)

Peter Barnes changes the subject when his wife talks about a new porch, the builder wastes little time in turning the job into an expensive project, and the bank manager demands collateral when he asks for a small loan.

A worried Sheila tells Peter that he should go for a full medical check-up, an annoying patient points him in the direction of the reception window, and the doctor complains when he finds the wrong man in front of him.

Sheila's driving lessons have to be put on hold when the car won't start, a pair of mechanics quickly identify a long list of unexpected faults, and Peter deals with customers when he tries to pick it up from the garage.

Peter tries to book a last-minute holiday after asking for time off in June, a bus conductor advises him against an unfinished hotel in Majorca, and Sheila insists on packing enough shoes to give her the pleasure of choice.

Sheila packs her bags, after Peter's drunken boss gets into bed with her. His friends tell him to forget reconciliation when she lists her demands - and his solicitor informs him that he has no chance of winning the case.

Sheila looks into whether the oil central heating can be converted to gas, Peter's horrified when a gasman shows up far earlier than expected, and things get worse when a metre arrives before he even agrees to a supply.

Peter and Sheila return to the hotel where they spent their honeymoon, a waiter offers to help when they arrive too late to eat in the restaurant, and they both get locked out of their room after deciding to take a bath.