My last summer.

In the second programme, the group and their partners and loved ones explore how terminal illness affects those left behind. Terminal illness can divide relationships, explains Palliative Care Nurse Nigel Dodds, as neither side can truly understand the situation of the other. This time, the group are joined by Palliative Psychotherapist Ann Munro, who helps both parties tackle the obstacles in their relationships. It is John and Lou’s first wedding anniversary. Recently John’s been spending increasing amounts of time at work, ostensibly to prepare financially for the family’s future. Lou, on the other hand, is keen to see more of her husband while they are still able to spend quality time with each other. Unable to confront his wife’s mortality, John excuses himself from the residential. Andy’s wife Annett, in contrast, is looking forward to sharing her experiences with the other partners. Before he became ill, Andy co-owned a hydraulics business and the pair could afford to enjoy life. But his condition has left him unable to work or help around the home. Jayne is joined by friend Adele, her strongest source of emotional support following her divorce. Ann brings the carers together to discuss their own support mechanisms, and how they deal with the isolation terminal illness can bring. In a separate room, the five terminally ill participants discuss their relationships with Nigel. A year before Andy became ill, his business ran up debts of £28,000. To avoid bankruptcy he and Annette remortgaged their home, and cancelled their critical illness cover just months before his diagnosis, leaving them in a perilous financial situation. Ben did not bring anyone to the residential. Before he became too ill to work he was a restaurant manager for P&O Ferries – a job he loved. Despite several relationships with men and women, he has never found a long term partner. Lou expresses her regret that John didn’t feel able to participate. Three years ago her brother Ashley, one of John’s closest friends, was killed in a motorbike accident, and he lost his father months later. John admits that he ‘copes’ by refusing to contemplate life after Lou’s death. Nigel suggests Lou record a video message for her husband, confronting his denial directly. While John focuses on practical support at the expense of emotional involvement, Andy avoids thinking about the future by choosing not to tackle his financial difficulties. His life insurance cover will not be enough to clear the family’s debt. One option is to downsize, freeing up equity for the present as well as his wife and daughter's future. Junior’s cancer is progressing rapidly. After his parents separated, his father began a new life in Jamaica and they have not seen each other in eight years. Sonja has arranged for Junior’s dad to join them for a lunch hosted by the group, in what proves to be a highly emotional reunion. Although not initially upfront with his father about the severity of his illness, Junior reveals the full truth over lunch at Sonja’s instigation. The reunion strikes a chord with Jayne, who gave up a son for adoption when she was 17. With Adele’s support, she has discovered the agencies that can help her find him, but is conflicted as to whether she’s making the right choice. John and Lou watch the video she has recorded together, and the pair agree to spend more time together. Having chosen to withdraw from those closest to him to avoid causing pain to both parties, Ben comes to the realisation that participating in the series will almost inevitably result in the loss of four new friends. At the end of the programme, we see Jayne embark on the process of finding her son.