Growing Pains

May 16, 1992

When Pat Hollingsworth decides she wants to start fostering she faces a hostile response from her family, particularly from husband Tom, who was looking forward to enjoying a peaceful middle age, pursuing his lifelong obsession with old Hollywood musicals.

May 23, 1992

Tom feels he's losing his grip now that the foster children are firmly in residence. "Smurf" is falling out with Simon, Kathy is eating everything except food, and baby Colin likes unravelling Tom's favourite cassette. Their dogs are giving Pat asthma, and the children all wet the bed every night.

May 30, 1992

Tom and Pat are both worried that their in-depth interview will reveal secrets from their past.

Jun 6, 1992

The arrival of adorable toddler Abigail causes heartache, and Mark's first love affair causes headaches.

Jun 13, 1992

The Hollingsworths hear some distressing news about Abigail's mother; Tom discovers that his real father is alive; and Pat finds she has an ally in her attractive boss Andy.

Jun 20, 1992

The Hollingsworths are fazed by the arrival of Mercedes, a sophisticated 11-year-old.

Jun 27, 1992

Pat never wanted to foster a teenager and when Tom agrees to take on 13-year-old Jason, her worst fears are confirmed.

Jul 4, 1992

Tom's enthusiasm for the school fun-run is not shared by Pat and the children.

Jul 11, 1992

Pat is worried about how much Andy is confiding in her. Jason's mother turns up saying she wants him back.

Jul 18, 1992

On their romantic weekend, Pat and Tom become close again.

Apr 21, 1993

The Hollingsworths have been fostering pre-adoptive babies one after the other for months and Tom's had enough of nappies and sleepless nights. Pat promises little Adam will be the last one – but then Caroline comes up with a request she can't refuse.

Apr 28, 1993

Tom is appalled at the prospect of his mother-in-law becoming his boss, but George reassures him she'll only be a sleeping partner. But sleeping is the last activity Joan has in mind.

May 5, 1993

Shane turns the Hollingsworth's world upside down.

May 12, 1993

Will the Hollingsworths survive their newest foster child, the demure Felicity?

May 19, 1993

Tom wants to do is go on holiday but when Mark and Lisa refuse to go, so does Pat. Then silent little Trudy appears and Tom grabs the chance to get his own way.

May 26, 1993

Trudy and the Hollingsworths have arrived in beautiful rural France, ready to start their holiday at last.

Jun 16, 1993

At first, Pat and Tom think that Trudy having leukaemia is probably the hardest thing they've ever had to face. But then her mother is released from prison and things begin to get even worse.

Jun 27, 1993

The family is just beginning to pick up the pieces again after Trudy's death. Tom has taken it particularly badly and starts behaving irrationally. At first Pat puts it down to their money worries – but then Tom tells her that he's bumped into an old flame from his schooldays.

Jun 16, 1993

Tom has had no sleep for days because JR and his feline friends have been holding all-night raves in the garden. So when Pat suggests adding a baby to the menagerie he puts his foot down – until she tells him that the baby was found tied to a radiator.

Jul 14, 1993

Pat is feeling taken for granted and isn't pleased when George takes Tom off for a golfing weekend. To add to her troubles, Uncle Jack is coming back from Australia – and Joan is behaving like a teenager in love.