They're growing up against their better judgment.
Carl, Jon and Andy have been mates forever. They are Generation X-hardened party animals but their party train is grinding to a halt. Andy is getting married. They never thought it would come to this. They have spent 10 years running away from responsibility but now they've reached 30 it has suddenly hit them between the eyes.
Carl and Emma are in love, although Carl is reluctant to broadcast the fact. Tina has graduated and is considering her career. Carl's stepsister Jane arrives on his doorstep, causing him to think about family loyalties.
With Jon back in her life, Tina wants to make up for her lost teenage years. Emma is feeling insecure. Paul's drug habit is spiralling out of control.
Paul challenges Carl on his notion of friendship. Tine tries E for the first time. Carl finds an old friend.
Jon confronts Carl about his betrayal of Andy, and predicts that Carl will toy with Emma's heart. Unable to trust Carl anymore, Jon moves in with Tina.
Jon and Carl have buried the hatchet. Tina gets Emma thinking about babies. Andy's unexpected return from Australia puts pressure on Carl.
Carl and Emma are secretly glad that Andy is heading back to Australia. Meanwhile, Jon and Tina allow Katie to have her own party, but only if Carl and Pat are the DJs – which turns out to be a mistake when one lad objects to Carl's taste in music. And there's tragedy when a drunk/drugged Stephen drives Tina backs from a club.
Tina is dead and Jon is not coping well. Emma thinks her life is stagnating, so quits work and decides to get pregnant. Paul is madly in love with Jane, but she doesn't feel the same. She ends the relationship and promptly asks Andy out.
Devastated that Andy is dating Jane, Paul resumes heavy drug use and gets himself the sack. Emma is upset she's not pregnant but Carl is mad at her - he didn't even know they were trying.
Carl and Andy organise a lads' night out, with far-reaching consequences.
Jon wakes to find that a terrified Katie has gone to live with her grandparents. Emma wakes up with Andy, wondering what she has done. But there is a triumphant spring in Andy's step as he heads back to his flat to dump Jane. Carl bails Paul out of his debt, but neither he nor Jane know the full story.
Thoughts of Katie bring Jon back from the brink of his second suicide attempt. With an overwhelming sense of responsibility to his daughter, he knows he's got to sort his life out. She's all he's got left now, and whatever it takes, he wants her back. Emma's in turmoil about her pregnancy, with boyfriend Carl admitting he's got a low sperm count, and having recently succumbed to the advances of her ex, Andy. She's certain the baby has to be Carl's and when she tells him he's about to become a father, his delight reassures her she's doing the right thing. It doesn't take long for Andy to find out the news - and put two and two together. He's straight round demanding a blood test. In desperation and confusion, Emma deals the ultimate blow, and tells Andy that if she thought the baby was his - she'd get rid of it. Resentful and bitter, Andy can't hold back any longer. During an argument with Carl, knowing it will crush him, he tells him about his night with Emma. Carl is ready to kill And
