The Family Way

Jenny Piper and Arthur Fitton celebrate their wedding with a lively reception at a local pub. The event ends with the newlyweds spending their wedding night at the Fittons' house, setting the stage for their marital challenges. The lively atmosphere contrasts with the couple’s later struggles with their relationship and living situation.

On their wedding night, Arthur's practical joke-prone boss, Joe Thompson, causes the marital bed to collapse. While Jenny finds it amusing, Arthur feels humiliated and believes she's mocking him, which prevents them from consummating their marriage. This incident marks the beginning of their unfulfilled marital relationship.

Arthur and Jenny discover that their honeymoon trip to Majorca has been canceled because the travel agent absconded with their money. Their plans are dashed, leaving them disheartened and adding to their ongoing frustrations and financial difficulties.

Unable to afford their own home, Jenny and Arthur move in with Arthur's parents and brother. The poor living conditions and thin walls amplify the couple’s discomfort and strain their marriage as they struggle with lack of privacy and intimacy.

Weeks pass without the marriage being consummated, causing emotional strain between Jenny and Arthur. Jenny begins socializing with her brother-in-law Geoffrey, who is attracted to her, but she resists his advances to maintain her marriage.

At Jenny's urging, Arthur attends a marriage counselor to address their issues. However, a gossipy charwoman overhears and spreads the details of their private session, further complicating their situation and causing embarrassment.

Jenny confides in her parents, Liz and Leslie Piper, about the unfulfilled state of her marriage. They inform Arthur's mother, Lucy. Ezra, Arthur’s father, reminisces about his own slow start to marriage and shares memories involving his friend Billy, which reveal family history.

Ezra attempts to defend himself when Lucy recounts how he spent more time with his friend Billy during their honeymoon. Lucy later shares that she spent an evening with Billy after Ezra worked late, highlighting family tensions and past relationships.

Joe Thompson mocks Arthur after overhearing gossip about the couple's private matters. Enraged, Arthur physically confronts Joe and quits his job, leading to a heated argument that culminates in Arthur and Jenny finally having sex.

Neighbors overhear Arthur and Jenny’s intimate moment, and the gossip spreads throughout the community. This public knowledge adds social pressure and embarrassment to their already strained relationship.

Despite their setbacks, the couple prepares for a belated honeymoon in Blackpool, supported by the Association of British Travel Agents, who cover their stolen original trip's costs. This provides them a chance to start anew after their earlier disappointments.

Jenny's Uncle Fred advises the couple to buy their own home, and Ezra agrees to help with the down payment. Ezra shows a desire to build a better relationship with Arthur, even tearfully calling him 'son' as they plan for their future together.

After Arthur leaves, Ezra makes a wistful comment about how much Arthur resembles a long-gone friend Billy, which leads Lucy to comfort and empathize with Ezra's lingering feelings tied to family history and past relationships.