On the Up

- Season 2

(1991)

Returning from holiday with his staff Tony finds Ruth in his bed. She is anxious to make a fresh start with him but,knowing the mutual antipathy that exists between her and his staff,he has to be extra diplomatic. When his mother comes to visit,announcing that she would like to move in, everybody expects Ruth to react badly but she is surprisingly welcoming.

Tony's mum comes to live with him and,whilst Ruth promises to make the effort to get on with her,they are soon disagreeing. Mum identifies with the staff and wants to eat with them whilst Ruth believes that a formal family dinner is in order. Maggie confesses to Mum that she dislikes Ruth but it is the older Mrs Carpenter who,deciding to muck in and help out,drives the cleaning lady away.

Stephanie comes to stay and Ruth takes her shopping in London. Nonetheless Maggie finds it difficult to be civil to Ruth and gives her notice. Tony then discovers that Ruth has bought a flat in London just for the family and he realises how much he needs his staff around him. After cajoling from Sam and his mother he tells Maggie he refuses to accept her notice. Everybody is happy - except Ruth,who retreats to the new flat whilst the others celebrate.

Having carpeted dim driver Chalky Smith for moonlighting Tony assumes that similar practice by other drivers is responsible for the fall in his returns but,having sent Dawn undercover,learns that he is being under-cut by ruthless younger rival Jimmy Quinn. Using Chalky as his inside man Tony devises a plan that will leave Quinn substantially out of pocket whilst Tony undercuts him even further.

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.

Ruth arrives to talk about Stephanie and manages to antagonize the staff but suggests Tony meet her at the flat to discuss their future. Tony and the staff go to a football match before he drives to the flat but finds Ruth is not there. On the rebound he takes Jane to dinner but she makes it clear she is not there to be used so Tony returns home to find an irate Ruth. She had been in a traffic accident and tried to ring the house with no success. Finally Ruth and Tony decide that sex is perhaps a better idea than discussion - for the time being.