despite being extremely fond of each other, the new partners argue about almost everything. david wants to modernise the surgery and bring in computers, but harold is set in his ways and is opposed to any obvious changes. harold also disagrees with david's friendship with their secretary, michelle fowler (susan tully). particularly when the two get drunk one night at a christmas party, leave together and end up in the same bed. david awakes the next day not remembering a thing, but is reassured when michelle informs him that he had been too drunk to do anything untoward anyway. harold is not convinced however, and berates david for the degradation he'd brought upon himself and the surgery.