March 12, 2004
On the Monday before his wedding, all is right with Howard's world. That is until a disastrous send-off at work, an horrific dinner at his in-laws to be, and a wedding ring that disappears.
Mel's sister Sophe promises to keep quiet about the locked-up dog when Howard offers relational advice, but that backfires. Meanwhile, Dick proves remarkably understanding after confessions and discoveries.
Howard scrambles to reconcile with Mel, but when Cassie cons him into meeting with her, things go off the rails all over again.
Howard's misery resumes when his crazy would be-fiancée's dad Barry Turner turns up, begging to give her a chance by postponing his wedding with Mel. By now, her dad is rather partisan to the idea, and even Mel gets ever more suspicious. Her uncle Fraser, a vet, insists he should be entrusted with wedding security.
With Ben unconscious, Howard has to find another best man, which proves difficult. And then Ben's parents make an impression when they arrive to meet the Cooks. Meanwhile, Cassie is still determined to stop the wedding.
Granny is in hospital and wedding preparations continue. However, Dick decides that the wedding is off and then Mel flees.
Cassie has kidnapped Mel, under threat of killing her. She wants Howard to bring the vicar and marry her within the hour.