Beth, the thought-to-be-dead kids' mom, surprises the stunned clan with a visit. She explains what she has done and why the family has thought she was dead. Tracy gets a job offer - in New York.

After a long quarrel between Anna and her mother, Beth decides to stay. Tracy decides to accept the New York offer - time to say goodbye.

With Tracy's room vacant, Thomas, Anna and Bobby and even Wayne line up to be the next lodger - and Beth's the one to choose.