The Upchat Connection

When Mike Upchat raffles the key to his left-luggage locker at Marylebone Station, the winner wins more than just his address book, his second-best T-shirt, all his library tickets and a blind date with a cracker called Suzie. He also inherited the Upchat name, its various pseudonyms, and the entire Upchat personality!

Having just chatted his way through his first challenge, Mike sets his sights higher. A chance phone call leads him to the exclusive world of Park Lane and the promise of a free meal with the lovely Shoona. But even a free meal can have its price...

A van drivers' strike leaves Mike temporarily without transport. His simple solution is to commandeer the first vehicle that moves, even if it's a coach-load of Japanese tourists. This presents Mike with his biggest chat-up problem so far: a beautiful Japanese girl who doesn't speak a word of English.

Even when he's away from his familiar stamping ground, Mike can't resist a chat-up challenge. He takes Maggie home to Birmingham for the weekend, but almost pushes his luck too far – leaving Maggie regretting that she ever introduced him to her mum and the neighbours.

If Mickey Finn invites you to a champagne nosh-up down East Slapton Dog Track, you don't refuse. And when Mickey says "Make sure you bring a real East End gal', Mike sees no problem in chatting up a bird from down Hackney way.

One thing Upchats do not do is get married. But when Mike finds himself engaged, his plan to get disengaged lands him in even bigger trouble.

If Mike Upchat isn't the first Mike Upchat, then perhaps he isn't the only Mike Upchat. Maggie sets him the ultimate chat-up challenge to allow him to prove that he is indeed the real thing.