We meet Colin at the end of what has very clearly been a very long evening spent in the company of Jen's friends. He's none too excited with the friends have a going away party shortly afterwards but perks up when he overhears an editor, John Langley, saying he is looking for new writing talent. Opportunities to present himself as a potential talent to Langley are plentiful but he blows each and every one of them.
The long, wet Summer has Colin thinking about warmer places. He needs a holiday, but will he let himself take one and enjoy it?
After yet another binge with his best mate Des, Colin takes his Doctor's advice and cuts down on his unhealthy lifestyle (with little or no help from those around him).
Colin gets a commission to write a short story but has writer's block and an attack of a guilty conscience.
Colin has finished his story for The Langley Book Of Horror and sent it off to the publishers. Now he's waiting to hear whether or not the story has been accepted. Richard and Sarah have just returned from a trip to India. They invite Colin and Jenny to go round to look at their holiday snaps. Colin, preoccupied over his story, turns the evening into a complete disaster for everyone. Later, Jenny loses her temper with him and locks him out. When he goes round to apologise to Sarah, she gives him an ear-bashing as well.
Colin's short story has been accepted for the Langley Book of Horror. John Langley invites Colin to dinner but the evening does not turn out to be as enjoyable as it should.
The Langley Book of Horror is finally published with Colin's story included. One of the publishing staff has recommended his story to an award winning film director, Alan Hunter. Meanwhile whilst Colin is celebrating, Jen has been made redundant but does not want to spoil Colin's festivities and doesn't tell him for several days.
Colin vows never to attend another wedding but he can't refuse his work colleague Trevor's request to be his best man. The whole thing is a nightmare - from organising the wedding present list through to the stag night and of course the best man's speech...
Colin's treatment for the Alan Hunter project is coming along but his progress is thwarted by the visit of Stuart, Rosemary and baby Joshua which he had forgotten about...
Colin is writing his first screenplay for Alan Hunter but clearly has a lot to learn... Re-writes are required before he accidentally deletes the whole thing whilst demonstrating his new PC to best mate Des. Can he continue to balance the writing with his day job at BR? Can he even stay awake at BR???
After Colin's dad's funeral Jen persuades him to take some time out. They venture to France for a short break and plan a lunch in one of the best restaurants in the country. Colin manages to mess up the lunch but it makes him realise that he can't continue with the writing and the day job. The film of his screenplay is set to be broadcast on Channel 4. Before he leaves British Rail he gets to realise a long held ambition...
