Life Begins Episode Rating Graph

Fed up with her mum and dumped by her boyfriend, Becca goes next door to be cheered up by Samantha. But when her friend's back is turned, Becca takes some pills and ends up in hospital. Phil takes it out on Paul who was supposed to be looking after her.

Will cannot go travelling so Phil says he wants to go and as Mia is now single she says she will look after the kids. Everything looks like it will fall into place when Maggie's parents look set to move in next door, but will everything go to plan?

Maggie's got really bad morning sickness and is having doubts about keeping the baby. Helen drives her to the abortion clinic, but can she go through with it? And, how will she break the news to Phil either way? Later, Phil is sacked and, depressed over the loss of his job, turns to Nick the neighbouring therapist for help – who inspires him to set up on his own. It doesn't take long for him to secure Penny as his first client. Meanwhile, Jeff introduces the team to Aidan Trigg the new regional manager. Genevieve's got history with him – he's the father of her son. And there's more change when Jeff decides to sack Kevin because he had to make cutbacks – so Helen quits in protest!

Maggie is starting to wonder if she and Phil did the right thing by getting back together, so Mia suggests that they find something new to do together – like the Spanish class that she's starting. Phil's not keen so Maggie decides to brave it without him. Meanwhile, Maggie agrees to help colleague Kevin by volunteering to baby-sit his nephew, which prompts Phil to latch onto the idea that they can save their marriage by having a baby! Can she be persuaded?

Maggie won't go on a day out as she has her suspicions that Phil is not being entirely faithful. Phil turns her around but further evidence leads her to believe she was right.

Maggie decides to leave her job as Phil is working so often and she wants to spend time with the children. A startling discovery makes her consider her options and elsewhere Brian has to sleep in the garage.

During a holiday with friends Clare and Guy, Phil Mee tells his wife Maggie that he's leaving her. And when he moves out and gets his own flat, finances force her to look for a job.

Maggie and Phil see a mediator (Sam Kelly) to divide up the assets but Maggie discovers Phil is being less than honest about his earnings and she threatens to bring in the Child Support Agency. Later, she goes out with her colleagues – who now regard her as Mother Hen – and she wakes up with a sexy young man.

Maggie goes speed dating with Helen (Chloe Howman) but it's a disaster for them both and Phil isn't happy when he finds out from the kids and Anna thinks she's just doing it to make Phil jealous. But Maggie's love life takes an upturn when she is approached by James’s history teacher Paul Winston (Danny Webb).

Maggie's branch of the travel agency takes over another branch – so abrasive Genevieve and disgruntled Kevin join the staff, and Jeff has to decide who'll be his deputy. Cuts are being made in Phil's office by his ex-girlfriend Anna, Guy takes a risk by expanding his business, and Maggie goes to school with her dad who is giving a talk about his wartime experiences.

Maggie plans a Christmas holiday with Paul, the kids, her parents and Clare’s family. But Phil sees signs that he can rekindle his relationship with Maggie when Paul gets a visit from his ex-wife Paula (Sally Dexter).

Maggie starts work at the travel agency, but finds she's no good at her job and then explodes when Phil comes in to book a romantic weekend break with Anna. Boss Jeff is prepared to let her go – but colleagues Karen and Helen launch a protest. Meanwhile, Maggie learns about her father’s serious health problems.