Alan's back and life is on the upswing: he's got the third-best slot on Radio Norwich, a girlfriend and a Lexus. While at the garage, Alan meets a former teacher, who is persuaded to let Alan give a talk at school about how he has "bounced back".

Alan is asked to present a sales conference for Dante's fireplaces of Reading, while Michael stays at the unfinished house after someone steals his front door.

Alan makes a new friend at the BP garage, Dan, with whom he shares much in common. Dan asks Alan to present a prize at the Norfolk Bravery Awards, where Sonja is hopeful to try some of her practical jokes.

Alan plans a "Bond-athon" for the bank holiday weekend with Michael, but the plans are jeopardized when Alan discovers that Michael has befriended a man who likes American things. Meanwhile, Lynn makes a visit to her mother's grave on the first anniversary of her death.

Alan is visited by Inland Revenue and is worried about a receipt for a Christmas gift. Meanwhile, he tries to convince Sonja that he is indeed friends with Bono.

Alan's house is finally ready and Sonja is angling to cohabitate. Meanwhile, Alan's book is unsuccessful and is to be pulped. Alan can't stop the flashbacks of the painful days when he ate four Toblerones and drove to Dundee in bare feet.