Lionel, very much aware that he is being followed, walks down the street. As he walks he slowly turns to see if the dog is still behind him. Yes, he is. Both he and the dog continue to walk. Suddenly Lionel turns and confronts the dog who sits down and looks lovingly at him. Apparently they've been through this before because Lionel says "I keep telling you to go home." The dog beams, but makes no motion to leave. Lionel repeats himself. The dog doesn't budge. Finally Lionel turns and walks away. The dog gets up and follows. Lionel walks faster; the dog walks faster. Lionel increases his speed a notch. The dog begins to trot. Lionel turns the corner and ducks into a store until he is satisfied that coast is clear. When he leaves the store, Lionel looks both ways and heads back in the direction he was going. Suddenly the dog appears from around the corner and picks up right where he left off.

Jean is at work in the Charity Shop and being pestered by a woman who doesn't quite understand the concept. She finally found a dress she likes but wonders whether or not they have it in a paler blue. Jean attempts to explain but the woman continues to misunderstand, asking if perhaps Jean could order one in that color. Lionel carefully enters the shop and when Jean sees him she gets rid of the woman by telling her that perhaps she might find a hat she is interested in. She tells Jean not to get her hopes up.

Jean walks over to Lionel and asks what he's doing there. He tells her he is looking for a dog and she just can't resist telling him that they don't sell dogs. He tells her that a dog has been following him and she wonders whose dog it is. He gives her a puzzled look and says "you know, I didn't think to ask it." When she realizes that the dog was not wearing a collar, Jean heads towards the door to see if it is alright. Just before she can leave, the woman Jean was just speaking with returns, hat in hand. "Miss? Miss?" she calls out. Jean tells her that actually she is a Mrs. and has her husband there to prove it and nods towards Lionel. The woman gives him the once over and asks, ridiculously "Is this true?" Lionel assures her that it is and, in fact, that Jean carries him around like an identity card. Jean continues towards the door, but the woman says she needs an opinion on the hat. "Ask a man," Jean advises her, "they are so much more objective. Lionel tries to wiggle out of this, saying he just is not a hat sort of person, but the woman seems to think she's exhausted her options and that he will "have to do." She puts this huge red hat on her head, poses and asks for his frank opinion. Lionel tells her she looks ridiculous. When Jean comes back the woman complains "your husband said I look ridiculous." Without skipping a beat Jean tells her "I'd have to say he's right."

The dog is nowhere to be found. Jean assumes he's gone home and asks Lionel why he's come to the shop. He wants to take her to lunch, which she thinks is a wonderful idea. As he waits for her to get her things in order he checks the suits on the rack and spots one he likes. Jean is not surprised because, after all, it was his. He is stunned, but she assures him he gave it to her. A woman who is wearing a large navy blue hat with a huge pink flower spot in the center walks up to Jean and asks if the hat suits her. Jean stumbles enough to let the lady know that it doesn't. Lionel hears the conversation and volunteers that he thinks it suits her perfectly. The lady looks at Jean and nods towards Lionel saying "they don't have any idea, do they?" Jean agrees with no hesitation at all and leads the woman away to find a hat, mouthing an apologetic "well, I have to" to Lionel.

As they walk towards the restaurant Lionel, carrying a bag, mutters about the fact that it took the woman half an hour to choose a hat and he swears she tried most of them on twice. He wouldn't have taken that long. Jean feels that there is no hat in the store which would suit him. She thinks he really shouldn't complain because it gave him a chance to get himself a nice jacket. He moans that it was his jacket in the first place and buying it felt like paying ransom money. He opens the door for Jean and they go into the restaurant. As the door closes behind them you can see a little dog -- the same one that followed Lionel earlier in the day. He walks up, sits down just outside that door and settles in for a wait.

Meanwhile, back at home Judith is staring in disbelief at Alistair who is on the living room couch. She calls out for Sandy to come in the room because she needs her opinion. When Sandy arrives, asking what she wants, Judith tells Alistair to repeat what he just said. He mildly protests, saying he feels as though he is on trial, but Judith assures him that he is already condemned. He tells Sandy that he asked Judith to accompany him to a champagne reception at the Venezualan Embassy that evening. Sandy appears to be impressed and neither she nor Alistair has a clue about why Judith is outraged. Judith just turned down a marriage proposal from Alistair, she reminds him, and doesn't want him to think that she is there for him. He feels that at least geographically speaking, she is there. She realizes that this is one of those "we can still be friends" situations, but expresses the thought that those kinds of relationships typically don't work out well. Alistair claims he can respect friendship and that two friends can drink champagne, go out for a late supper and, if they feel the night beckoning, hey hey. At this, she wishes him a good evening and walks out, leaving him alone with Sandy.

Alistair says "call me a quitter, but I sense a 'no' there." Without skipping a beat, he asks Sandy to go with him if she is free and can squeeze into something figure-hugging..." She reminds him that he's already tried that and that Judith is her best friend. But, he tells her, Judith doesn't want to know him. He starts to leave and then says this is how it will work: he will stop by later that evening and if she is in something figure-hugging, then hey-hey, and if not, the Venezualan Embassy will be a duller place. He doesn't ask a question, and waits for no answer. He just turns and walks out leaving Sandy wondering what to do.

As Alistair leaves, he passes Jean and Lionel on their way in. They walk into the living room and say hi to Sandy, who gets up to leave the room, saying she needs to talk to Judith. Jean sorts the mail and Lionel looks a bit distracted. Jean asks whether or not he is still thinking about that dog. Lionel tells her that he saw the dog waiting at the restaurant, but Jean thinks it is all his imagination and begins to make fun of him. He says that just as they left the restaurant the dog ducked behind the corner. Lionel insists that the dog followed them home. Jean wonders why then didn't they see him. He explains that every time he told Jean to look, the dog ducked behind a parked car. She feels his forehead to see if maybe he is coming down with something. He agrees that his story sounds a bit unlikely. Jean tells him the dog could be in the CID [Criminal Investigation Department] -- in fact maybe it isn't a dog at all. Perhaps it is a plainclothes officer disguised as a dog. Judith walks in and says that she is going out for a walk. Jean hollers after her "Make sure you're not followed." Judith doesn't understand, but Jean explains that she is making a joke. Lionel asks if this is going to go on all night. Jean tells him that she knows when to stop. She grins and mutters "he'd have to be a very small plainclothes officer."

Judith is in the hallway preparing to go for a walk. Sandy is trailing her and Judith tells her that she will not change her mind about going out with Alistair that evening. Sandy says that is not the problem and tells her about Alistair's invitation. Judith wonders if she said "yes" but Sandy tells her "not exactly". She wonders if she said "no" and Sandy gives her the same answer. Finally Judith asks if she is asking her permission. Again with the same answer. Judith takes her by the arm and insists she accompany her on the walk, thinking that perhaps the fresh air might make her more lucid. They are absolutely enchanted when they open the front door and see a little dog on the stairs looking up at them.

Judith and Sandy are in a corner of the kitchen watching the dog eat. Lionel walks into the kitchen and hollers sarcastically back at Jean that he is going to put on an imaginary kettle. When he sees Judith he tells her he thought she was going for a walk. At the site of him, Judith and Sandy rise up to block his view of the dog, but they are unsuccessful. He looks down. "It's that dog!" he says. He wants to know what the dog is doing there and Judith says that he is having his lunch. Jean walks into the room, ready to keep riding Lionel, and continues her dog theories until she is stunned by the sight of an actual dog in her own kitchen. At first, Lionel tells her that there is no dog -- that she is imagining things. She goes over to ooh and ah over it and the girls tell her they found the dog on the doorstep and brought him in when it started to rain. All at once the three women stand up and shoot pleading looks at Lionel. "No," he tells them and walks into the living room.

The women follow him, begging him not to throw the dog out into the street because it is a stray and has nowhere to go. He defends himself, saying that he is not a beast, but that this dog is obviously well-cared-for and belongs to someone and that the first thing that they should do is get him to the RSPCA [Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]. Judith says that they will kill him. Lionel thinks that is rubbish. But Judith says that is what they do if they aren't able to trace the owner. Jean asks Lionel why he thinks the dog took a fancy to him in particular. She tries to convince him that this dog has developed a bond with Lionel. Just then the dog walks in, sits down and stares at him. Lionel puts on his gruff face and the girls smile warmly from the sidelines.

Later that day, Sandy and Judith are in the kitchen sharing a bottle of wine. Sandy asks Judith what she thinks and she says she believes that Jean will wear Lionel down, but Sandy is not asking about that. She wonders what Judith thinks about her going out with Alistair. Judith doesn't want to help her make that decision. Instead, she advises her to do anything she wants to do and insists that she will be okay with that. She assures her that what she and Lionel had together has run its course. While it is true that he is rich, fairly good looking, very sexy and never dull, still he had no substance. Sandy assures her that the last thing she is looking for now is someone with substance. After all, Harry had substance and look what that got her -- she spent most of her time watching him play rugby. No -- what she wanted now was a taste of the good life. Judith assures her that Alistair is very attentive when he is not watching himself in a mirror. She suggests they go see if Jean has worn Lionel down yet. As she leaves, Sandy says "I like Cuddles." Judith smiles in agreement and says "We, all do." Sandy explains that she is referring to a name for the dog.

The girls open the living room door and see Jean asleep on the couch. As they move further in, they are able see Lionel fast asleep on the chair with the dog lying across his lap. They decide not to bother them and back out.

Time passes. Lionel awakens and is startled by the unexpected sight of the dog. "What are you doing here?" he asks. His moaning wakens Jean. She suggests that maybe the dog fairy left him. Lionel asks the dog to get down and when he does Jean observes that he is very obedient. "And hairy as well," he adds. She asks Lionel, who said he would sleep on it, when last asked about the fate of the dog, whether or not he has come to any conclusions. He was hoping he would wake up and that it would all be a dream. He is beginning to wear down. Judith walks in and has with her the dog bed, food dish and squeaky toys she bought for the dog. She wants to name the dog and passes along Sandy's suggestion, but Jean thinks dogs should have proper sounding names -- like Andrew. Judith suggests Spot, but Jean points out that he has no spots. "Alright then, Scamp." Jean will have none of that and pronounces him Gerald. Lionel stops this discussion by observing that they are rushing into this whole thing without first trying to find the rightful owner. He does not want to take any steps until they have checked with the local police station to see if there have been any reports of a lost dog. Judith says that she and Sandy will do that later. She adds that Sandy has gone to buy a dress to wear to the Venezualan embassy that evening on her date with Alistair. Jean and Lionel are surprised -- Lionel "can't keep up with all this." The women leave for the kitchen to feed Gerald -- Jean asks him if he wants some tea in his nice new bowl. Lionel doesn't understand why people bother talking to dogs since they never understand what is being said. Gerald walks up to him and sits staring at him. His ears wiggle and he gives the impression that he understood every word Lionel said.

Sandy and Judith are at the local police station and the desk officer tells them that there have been no reports of lost dogs. He volunteers to contact the RSPCA but they tell him that no, they do want the dog. He says he will take their names and address just in case the real owner shows up but tells them that that is often not the case. Suddenly a door opens. It is Sandy's former boyfriend, Harry, who tells the officer that he is wanted in the other room. The man tells him that he just needs the address and phone number of the women. Harry and Sandy say hello to one another and each asks how the other is. Sandy asks him how the Rugby is going and he begins to explain and she stops him, indicating she was just making small talk. Judy decides to wait for Sandy outside. Harry says he gets off at seven and is thinking of going to the pictures. Sandy says she is going out that evening as well -- nowhere special. She tells him she'd better be going and leaves. The other police officer returns and observes that they were using each other's first name. He wonders if Harry knew them. "I used to," Harry tells him.

Back in the living room Lionel is searching for a book about dogs. Jean comes in and tells him that Gerald is asleep in his bed. Lionel is sure it is because Gerald has had a hard day. When Jean asks if they are going to keep him then, Lionel answers that that seems to be what everyone wants to do. He says he will keep the dog on one condition, that being that they not call him Gerald. When asked why he answers that there are times when a dog needs to be called and if anyone thinks he wants to be wandering about in the park calling "Gerald, Gerald" they've got another think coming. She suggests the name "Reg" but Lionel says that is even worse. Judith enters the room and reports that Scamp is asleep. Lionel immediately tells them that they are not going to call him Scamp either. Judith learns that they are intending to keep the dog and asks "Does he know?" Lionel does a double-take, but Jean answers that she's told him it was pretty certain. "Understood every word of course?" Lionel asks. She indicates that he would be surprised at what dogs understand. Lionel says he will get him to help with his tax return.

Just then Sandy comes in wearing her new black figure-hugging dress. Judith says she looks so gorgeous that she could spit in her eye. Sandy looks at Lionel and asks what he thinks. He, almost shyly, tells her it looks very nice, and looks away. "Is that it?" she asks. Jean reassures her: "Ignore the words. Just look at the way his eyes have glazed over." The telephone rings. It's Harry. Jean looks upset and says she'll see him later. When she hangs up, Sandy asks why Jean will be seeing Harry later -- thinking it has something to do with her. Jean tells her that Harry called to say that someone has turned up at the police station claiming to be Gerald's owner and Harry will bring him around the house later to get the dog.

Jean walks into the kitchen where Lionel is making some tea. She thinks it is sweet that Lionel is sitting with Gerald, but he claims he is just making the tea. She asks if Lionel thinks Gerald "knows." He wonders about what? "The phone call," she whispers. He tells her again that dogs do not understand what she is saying, but she is not having any of it. Dogs, she thinks are psychic and have the ability to pick up on vibrations. Judy walks over and crouches next to Gerald. Jean thinks it is so sweet that Judith is sitting with him. The girls are making a big deal about the fact that Harry said someone was "claiming" to be Gerald's owner. Lionel tells them not to start getting their hopes up. Sandy walks in and bends down. "Aw, Sandy's sitting with him now," coos Jean. Lionel says they should all sit on the floor and have done with it. Jean thinks he's taking an attitude and he claims that all he is doing is trying not to turn this into a wake. Once again the girls are keeping up their hopes because they don't KNOW that this is the rightful owner, only that it is someone CLAIMING to be the rightful owner. In fact it could be "any Tom, Dick or Ha...." Jean looks at Sandy, thinks, and finishes the sentence with "William." Lionel asks if the girls want their tea on the floor or at the table. Jean puts some tea in a saucer and asks if Gerald would like some. She uses that high-pitched voice that adults reserve for babies and pets and Lionel, exasperated, asks "would he like a cup or a mug?" They give him a dirty look and Jean sets the mug on the floor. They ooh and aah when he licks the saucer. The doorbell rings and they grab for the dog. Lionel goes to answer it, cautioning them not to hide the dog anywhere.

It is Harry, along with the dog's owner, Mr. Burrows, who he introduces to Lionel. Mr. Burrows expresses his gratitude and then calls his dog who quickly walks over to him. "Where have you been? I thought I'd lost you," the man says as he bends down to pet the dog, whose tail is wagging a mile a minute. "Of course he's only claiming to be the owner," Lionel tells the three women who sadly watch from the rear of the hallway.

Harry sits in the living room and has a drink with Jean and Lionel. Lionel tells him that he hopes that his Sargeant doesn't breatholyze him. Harry assures him there is no problem because he is off duty and was just dropping Mr. Burrows by on the way. Lionel thanks him and is sure that Jean would want to as well, but Jean appears to be lost in space. She says, that yes, she is grateful too -- that it is obvious that those two belong together. Harry says that the dog was way off course and that his was the third station that the man had gone to in search of the dog. Harry asks if Lionel has ever owned a dog. Lionel tells him that he did have one a long time ago in Kenya. His name was Laurence. "Laurence?" Jean says. "You thought Gerald was a silly name?"

Sandy walks into the room, still thinking about the dog. She is surprised to see that Harry is still there. He is taken by surprise at how wonderful she looks in that tight dress. "I thought you said you weren't going anywhere special," he says. She tells him it is just "a do." He looks stunned and says that she never wore anything like that when they went out. She explains that it was not exactly right for the Rugby Club bar. Judith and Lionel both want a drink. The doorbell rings and Judith walks into the living room and announces the arrival of a very snappily dressed Alistair who does a double-take when he sees Harry. He spots Sandy and all thoughts of Harry vanish. "Ring-a-ding-ding," he says. He asks how she managed to pour herself into that. She acknowledges that it was "with some difficulty." He hopes it will be easy to pour herself out -- but Jean interrupts his thought by asking if he wants a drink. He says he has a limo waiting and takes a raincheck on the drink. "Come Consuela, we're off to Venezuala," he says as he leads her away. Harry gets up to leave and says he'd better go if he's going to catch that film. Jean looks at Harry and nods towards Judith. Harry asks Judy if she would like to see a film and have some pizza afterwards -- nothing very grand. Judy looks at Jean, who now nods at her. She thinks for a moment and says "why not?" They start to leave the living room when she says "it's not a film about dogs, is it?" He assures her it is not and they leave.

Jean and Lionel are alone. Lionel asks her if they know a couple. "A couple of what?" she asks. A couple they can swap with because she seems very keen on everyone changing partners. She claims to have had nothing to do with it. He says everything was so sudden -- no-one was going out with anyone when that day started. And they didn't have a dog that morning either. He tells her that they don't have one now, but adds that he expects Gerald will send them a postcard from time to time. She asks him to tell her about Laurence. Lionel says he was "just a dog." When she asks what breed he was, Lionel tells her it was a secret known only to his mother and father. "Just tell me about him," she insists. Lionel tells her that Laurence was a stray and he doesn't know how he got there because the coffee plantation was miles from anywhere. "Anyway, come he did, more fleas than hair -- well, he stayed." It was obvious from his wistful look that Lionel rather fancied this dog. Jean sighs and tells him she knew there must be something she liked about his ex-wife. He assures her that his ex-wife had gone by then -- "she wouldn't have had him in the house." Jean says that she would have. He already knew this. She moves up closer to Lionel and leans on his shoulder. "So it was just you and Laurence?" she asks. She says that she bets Lionel talked with him. He confirms that he did -- in fact after a hard day's work they used to sit out on the veranda and smoke a pipe or two and chat for hours. She doesn't believe him about the pipe, she says. He admits, though, that he did talk to him. She asks if he ever told Laurence about the girl he loved and thought he'd lost. Lionel explains it was not that kind of relationship -- they never spoke of personal things, but the conversations were of a general variety. She asks what happened to Laurence. "I shot him," Lionel tells her. She sits up and looks at Lionel. He explains that Laurence got very old and in pain and there wasn't a vet just around the corner. So they "went for a walk."

Jean lies back against Lionel's chest and tells him she will take the dog supplies to the shop the next day and someone will be sure to buy them. Then she gets up and says that she will make supper. She walks slowly away from Lionel and looks out the window. "There's that cat in the garden again," she says. "What cat?" he growls. She claims to have seen him several times that week and he has no collar. "Perhaps he's a stray. You think he's a stray?" she says as she turns from the window to look towards Lionel. There is just an empty couch. Lionel has left the room. "Lionel? Lionel?" she calls as she leaves the living room to find him.