On their way to the reunion, Sarah and her boyfriend, Brian (Tony Slattery) take the steam train arriving at a delightful, quaint well maintained station in the heart of the countryside. These scenes were all shot on location along the Nene Valley Railway and the production used one of the period trains. On the platform Sarah is reunited with Maggie and Paul (Alex Lowe) who is there to drive them to Peter's house.

Opening scenes show the friends putting on a New Year's Eve show at Peter's (Stephen Fry) father's (Richard Brier) house, which did not go well. Regardless it is their final performance so they decide to celebrate and capture the moment by having their photo taken. A photo that Peter keeps as a memento and features later in the film. The next scene takes place some 9 years later and sees Peter talking with Mr Gooch, the solicitor (Edward Jewesbury), following his father's death. Peter is the main beneficiary and whilst he has no idea what to do with the house in the long term, he is resolved on one thing and to have a party. He asks Vera, the house keeper (Phyllida Law), a rather austere woman to try to be welcoming to his friends, a challenge she finds difficult to rise to as the guests find out. A number of scenes show the house and grounds in all their splendour. One is particularly memorable and shot on the steps of the house. It sees Peter welcoming his friends, Maggie (Emma Thompson), Sarah (Alphonsia Emmanuel), Andrew (Kenneth Branagh), Roger (Hugh Laurie) and Mary (Imelda Staunton). None of them have been to the house before nor have they seen each other in many years so they are all thrilled to see each other again.