Sisters Tracey Stubbs (Linda Robson) and Sharon Theodopolopoudos (Pauline Quirke) have grown apart and live completely different lives.
Tracey is happily married to Darryl (Alun Lewis) and lives the good life in a luxury home in Chigwell, Essex, while Sharon is unhappily married to Chris (David Cardy), living a miserable life in a council flat in Edmonton.
Their lives change drastically when Darryl and Chris are arrested for armed robbery and sentenced to serve 12 years each.
Having always been a kept woman, Tracey feels depressed and helpless and Sharon offers to move in with her.
Tracey tries to cope with the prospect of been without her man for years, while Sharon more than welcomes it.
Things are never easy for the two. With the trials and tribulations of everyday life and the annoyance of Tracey's next door neighbour, middle-aged man eating housewife Dorian Green (Lesley Joseph).