The family discover Leslie has three girlfriends, Louisa comes up with an idea to help him choose one of them. Gerry adds to his animal collection, Larry injures his leg and Aunt Hermione arrives in Corfu to stay permanently.

After Larry discovers Aunt Hermione has died in her sleep she is given a bizarre memorial service organized by Margo before Louisa and Larry escort the body back to England. Leslie is shocked to learn that he has impregnated Daphne, one of his former girlfriends, and makes a compromise when her father demands a shotgun wedding though Margo finds herself succumbing to the persistent Zoltan.

Larry brings home a royal guest from a trip to Athens. Louisa is delighted to have a prince staying but finds herself with a less welcome guest - Captain Creech. Gerry has an interview with a local school that divides the two house-guests.

Louisa throws a party for Gerry's thirteenth birthday but it is a staid affair and Gerry does not appreciate the children's games, railing at his mother before storming out. Spiros is also unhappy as his wife has left him and Dr Petrides is fed up with the guests demanding he diagnoses their ailments. Larry livens matters up with a conga and, despite a mosquito infestation, the evening ends on a reconciliatory note.

Wanting to avoid his depressingly empty house, Spiros spends most of his time at the Durrells' home. Louisa is not complaining, she just wants him to be happy and the two become closer. In the town, Larry meets Elena, a beautiful, exotic young woman who, along with her friend, the bearded woman, happen to be part of the travelling circus. Elena reveals she is a contortionist and after she performs some of her moves, Larry falls quickly in love. Keen to get involved, Louisa and Spiros help the circus drum up business whilst Margo starts to rehearse a very risky act and Gerry makes sure the animals are being treated well. With the magic of the circus rubbing off on the whole family, will it work its charm on Louisa and Spiros?

Louisa has opened the doors of the villa as a boarding house and Basil and two Australian dancers have become official guests. To save money, the girls instantly move into Larry's room - much to his delight - but it's soon clear that Basil has become the most persnickety guest ever. The family warm to mysterious new guest Lazaros Vangelatos. Meanwhile, Gerry acquires a new pet in the form of Ulysses the owl and proclaims he is going to open a zoo and feeling she needs more from her life, Margo embarks on a new project to work as a hairdresser.

Louisa finds herself fending off unexpected romantic advances. Leslie's arranged hunt for new guest, Colonel Ribbindane, doesn't quite go to plan when his past revisits him. Theo acquires a surprising housemate.