In the Long Run

Walter has been elected union representative at the factory and is thrown into the deep end when he is forced to tackle a very slippery negotiation that tests his resolve. Much to Kirsty's horror, Melissa's biological father, Leon, has turned up on the Eastbridge estate and she is faced with the difficult task of telling Bagpipes, but luckily Agnes comes to her rescue. Meanwhile, Valentine has finally moved out of the Easmon's home, but bachelor life is not what he thought it would be.

Bagpipes feels threatened by Leon's arrival and rashly decides that to save his family he must run him out of town, but things do not go according to plan. Valentine wants to invest in a van for his delivery job but when he gets ripped off by the charming garage owner Don, it is Agnes and Kobna who make sure he gets his money's worth. The strike at the factory is difficult for everyone and Rajesh tries to ensure that his wife and father don't discover that he isn't working.

As the strike at the factory continues, money in the Easmon household is tight, so Agnes begins to work for the local council. But her first job in the UK as a working mum proves to be a bit of an eye opener. Valentine has a job delivering paper in Southend. Bagpipes joins him on the road trip as both men share their love of the UK until the bubble is burst. Kobna also contributes to the household income by getting a Saturday job at Don's garage and very soon he starts to behave much older than his years.

Walter is struggling to resolve the strike until he stumbles upon a secret weapon - Rajesh! A tense meeting leads to new and exciting possibilities for the Easmon's future. Despite Bagpipes protests, Kirsty tries to earn a little money at the local bookies and Leon starts to share in his responsibilities with Melissa. Meanwhile, Kobna's job gives him a new-found confidence and for the first time he falls in love - with Don's daughter Kerry. But is Kobna really ready to step into a man's shoes?

Agnes is introduced by a colleague to a Jamaican woman at work expecting that they will automatically get on like a house on fire... and why wouldn't they? Valentine overhears an insensitive nickname Don uses for Kobna at work and is forced to confront him. Leon is a welcome addition to the De La Croix family unit but Kirsty begins to question Leon about his plans for the future, which has a profound effect on Bagpipes in more ways than one.

Bagpipes, Kirsty and the Eastbridge community are preparing for Melissa's adoption party at the Milton Arms when Walter is disturbed to discover that Bagpipes is estranged from his parents. Taking matters into his own hands Walter insists the two men travel to Essex, resolve the long-held rift and bring Bagpipes' parents to join in the celebrations. As the party begins to warm up Kobna struggles to find a way of asking Kerry out - but Uncle Valy quickly comes to the rescue.