Grown-Ups

Dick and Mandy move into a council-owned house and begin their married life. They soon discover that their new neighbours are their schoolteacher Ralph Butcher and his wife Christine. The setting starts to reveal tensions and dynamics that will shape their days ahead.

The couple debates whether to have children, exposing differing desires and anxieties about their future. The tension hints at underlying fault lines in their relationship. This disagreement becomes a recurring undercurrent in their interactions.

Gloria, Mandy's older sister, keeps appearing at their doorstep, intruding on their privacy. Dick grows frustrated with the constant interruptions. Mandy tries to manage the situation despite the mounting tension.

One visit ends with Gloria locking herself in the toilet at the Butchers' after Dick throws her out. She seeks refuge next door, escalating the crisis between the couples. The moment marks a turning point in their strained dynamic.

Christine persuades Gloria that Dick has left, and she is helped downstairs. Dick, still furious, grabs Gloria as she tries to exit, but Ralph stops him from forcing her out. The confrontation tests the boundaries of anger and restraint in the group.

Dick leaves the scene, followed by a hysterical Mandy who has just been slapped by Christine. The incident deepens the rift within the group and forces a moment of reckoning. Gloria's safety and wellbeing become a shared concern again.

Ralph and Christine soothe Gloria with tea and help her settle down for a nap on their sofa. Christine then goes next door to speak with Mandy and Dick to de-escalate the situation. They arrange for Gloria to be taken back to her mother to restore some order.

Mandy and Sharon return to the Butchers' house to take Gloria home. They hire a taxi and have a tense ride back, arguing along the way. The trip underscores the fragility of the arrangement and the toll of the conflict.

That evening, Dick and Mandy decide to try for a baby after all, signaling a renewed commitment to their marriage. The moment contrasts with Christine's earlier attempts to push for a family life. The couple hopes this change will bring them closer.

At the Butchers' house, Christine angrily tells Ralph that she also wants a sexual relationship and a family. Ralph remains absorbed in his reading, indicating emotional distance or inability to engage with her plea. The moment highlights differing life goals between couples.

Some months later, Dick, Mandy, and Gloria have reconciled their issues. Mandy is heavily pregnant, signaling a hopeful turn for the couple and their extended circle. Gloria appears to have found stability, even as she navigates a new boyfriend and social outings.

On the eve of the holiday, Gloria leaves to go to a party, and Dick jokes about whether her new boyfriend will show up. The banter hints at a fragile peace and the ongoing changes in their lives. The story closes with a sense of cautious optimism and anticipation.