The pressures of the recession have left the Fletchers' business in trouble and the family in a similar state of disarray. The lack of a bond with her daughter, Amy, has left Christine Fletcher feeling guilty about the amount of time she spends instead with her artistic daughter-in-law, Monique. But Christine's husband and daughter don't believe Monique to be as innocent and uncomplicated as she seems. A family Christmas reveals surprises, and when Monique disappears to her cottage in France and Amy's new relationship runs into trouble, Christine is forced to act to save both her family and the business.**

A Close Connection tells the story of Eleanor and Henry Nightingale and Paula and Alan Walker, two very different couples brought together by the marriage of Nicola, the Nightingales' daughter, to Matthew, the Walkers' son. Elegant and successful, Eleanor has turned a blind eye to her husband's infidelities for years; Paula lacks confidence and blames herself for the death of her daughter years ago, unlike her husband Alan who is laid back and not intimidated by the lifestyle of the Nightingales. A holiday in Italy, intended to bring the four closer together, creates both bonds and rifts with long lasting effects. On their returning home, a health scare brings Eleanor's life into sharp focus and she calls on Paula, who will soon experience her own struggles, to help. Meanwhile, Nicola and Matthew's marriage is facing its own crisis point. Will these three marriages survive such turmoil?

After meeting in the hospital where their babies are undergoing open-heart surgery, Becky and Adele resolve to remain friends whatever happens. The two women are from different backgrounds but they have had to face up to the same anxieties and it brings them together. Following the operation and the different way she and her husband face up to the situation brings Adele's marriage to Rory to crisis point and she turns to Becky. However, as their friendship deepens, Adele discovers something of the past and how the two families have been linked previously. Will their friendship survive or is it too dark a secret to share?