Frances and Zach begin a relationship but soon after her sister, Jasmine Patterson (PiaGrace Moon) is forced to move back in with Frances. Gay told Rigden that she did not believe Frances had ever "really anticipated children". She had not enjoyed her own childhood which makes "the idea of having 'teenagehood' thrust upon her again ... [is] her own personal nightmare". While looking after Jasmine, she is trying to make her relationship with Zach work too. Frances also accuses Zach of not stepping into the role of step-father for Jasmine. But their relationship is also strained by Zach's ex-wife Claire Armstrong (Natalie Saleeba) goading Frances. Gay explained that Claire said "that Frances is not a match for Zach physically or sexually". It was an "awful" comment to make as the actress believed that there is not "a thing that you can say to someone that's worse" - which means Frances cannot forget about it. Their relationship faces further problems as Frances decides to concentrate of giving Jasmine her undivided attention. Gay told TV Week's Erin Miller that Frances is just trying to be responsible and take the role Lily could not provide. But Gay believed that her character was doing so at the expense of her relationship with Zach. Claire uses the opportunity to try and steal Zach from Frances.
