The Fenn Street Gang

- Season 2

(1972)

Duffy discovers that running a small family business is not all beer and skittles. He can't even afford the beer!

Bowler, the local villain who "runs everything except London Transport," offers the out-of-work Craven a job. Craven's friends warn him about getting mixed up with Bowler, but he has never been one to listen to advice that didn't suit him.

The gang is delighted when the lonely Dennis Dunstable announces he has found a girlfriend, until they meet the "girl" - battle-scarred and pushing forty. Sadly, it appears Cupid may need a little correction.

Abbott's hypochondriac mother throws off her bandages when she falls for a man. Abbott's jealousy drives him from home and he decides to inflict himself on Dennis. However, Abbott and his mother deserve each other too much for the parting to be permanent.

Struggling to stay in business, Duffy needs - but cannot afford - some new ladders. Sharon enters a beauty contest to try to get enough money to buy them, but Duffy has strong views on beauty contests. Meanwhile, Maureen has strong views on men who have strong views on beauty contests.

Working for the crooked Mr. Bowler has brought Craven a flash car and flash clothes. Working for himself has brought Duffy packed lunches and overalls. Craven cannot resist showing off, although showing off with Bowler's money is not only silly, but very dangerous.

At last Maureen passes her "O" levels and begins her career as a "real" nurse. Little do the patients and staff realize what they are in for with the arrival of a modern-day Florence Nightingale gone berserk!

Dennis and Frankie are desperate to meet women. Dennis thinks dancing lessons might help them, but Frankie has a better idea...

Mr. Dunstable's wife leaves him after their last drunken row. He decides to move in with Dennis. But Dennis, now making sweet, if slow, progress with his girlfriend, has other ideas.

While Mr. Bowler likes Peter Craven working for him because he has "style," he very much wants Duffy on his payroll too. Duffy says no, but Mr. Bowler is a determined man who thinks anyone will change their mind - with a little persuasion.

Craven moves away from home and gets himself a flat - which he regards as a potential "come up for coffee and do you have to go home?" set-up. Then, he gives a lift to a heavily-pregnant hitch-hike, and his love-nest begins to look like a nursing home.

Sharon has been Eric Duffy's girlfriend since the Third Form at Fenn Street School and, while drawing their pensions, she is beginning to think that is all she'll ever be. This leads Sharon to take drastic steps. Meanwhile, Eric only takes one step - but it's a big one.

Frankie Abbott is enjoying life on the dole, spending his days in bed and only waking occasionally to play with his new camera. His mother meets private investigator Mr. Drew and persuades him to re-employ her son.

When Dennis is persuaded to take a holiday by the sea, his father goes too and takes the cure. However, much to the horror of elderly residents of a certain hotel, the sea air revives the spirits in both father and son!

The gang go other-worldly when Maureen sprouts an interest in spiritualism. At a meeting held by local medium Mr. Grout, he reveals that one of them could easily turn out to be a medium too. Abbott immediately assumes that he has psychic powers, but a surprise is in store for Maureen!

The relationship between Craven's parents consists of Mrs. Craven yelling and Mr. Craven obeying. He decides to incite his father to rebellion and succeeds - in splitting them up!

The writing is on the wall for Eric Duffy. What he needs to get his decorating business more firmly established is to put the whole thing on a more formal footing.

Duffy and Sharon's engagement is made official at last - so, of course, there has to be a party. What better time than now for the happy couple to have all their old school friends around them? Or is it?