Karen returns to work in publishing and is tasked with editing the new novel by renowned author Alec Welch (Denis Lawson), for whom she immediately falls. She believes that he feels the same way about her and is excited when a book tour in Liverpool means an overnight stay with him in a hotel. David learns of her plans and concludes that the only way to get back is to sleep with Ramona. Pete's parents visit him and Jenny, testing Pete's already fraying relationship with his father (Sam Kelly). In the wake of meeting Welch at the Marsdens' dinner party, Adam decides to start work on a novel about a man's fraying relationship with his father.