When an unexploded bomb detonates at the entrance to Duckett's Passage, the time portal between the 1940s and the 1990s is damaged and Phoebe unknowingly follows Gary through to 1998. Meanwhile, Reg receives a blow to the head that vastly increases his intelligence, and Gary enlists Ron to look after Phoebe in 1998 and keep her away from Yvonne.

With the time portal still haywire, Ron finally makes it back to the 1940s, where he inevitably makes Gary's life even more difficult. In 1998, Yvonne starts doing consultancy work for Chelsea FC, and much to Gary's delight, acquires some VIP match tickets.

Gary desperately needs more wartime five pound notes, but Mrs. Flanagan, Ron's new boss at the printing works, won't let the staff do private work. Desperately short of cash, Gary tries to use his knowledge of the future to bet on certainties at the 1940s race track with an illegal bookmaker. Meanwhile, in 1998, Ron is arrested for counterfeiting white fivers.