Siegfried and Tristan are left in charge of Skeldale House, when Mrs Hall takes time off to meet up with an important person from her past. Siegfried immediately puts Tristan in charge of housekeeping duties and focuses on running the practice and educating a visiting work experience boy named Andrew Simmonds. Tristan expects this to be a disaster due to his own experiences of Siegfried's parenting, but Siegfried makes a connection with young Andrew, causing old resentments between the two brothers to bubble up to the surface. While Richard Alderson is away from Heston Grange, Jenny reveals to Helen that she has made a big decision about her future, leaving Helen feeling out of the loop. Jenny worries that Helen blames her for an oversight with a sheep that could have potentially serious consequences. James works to save the animal and enables the two sisters to see things from each other's points of view. Mrs Hall travels out of Darrowby for a longawaited meeting with an important person from her past. Mrs Hall hopes to be forgiven for her actions, but the person she may need to forgive the most is herself.

It's Christmas in Darrowby and everyone is trying to make the most of things while the world is at war. A young guest brings some wonder, mischief and cheer to Skeldale House while everyone waits for important news. When Mrs Pumphrey heralds the arrival of a kitten in need of some extra care at Pumphrey Manor, James has just the person to take him under their wing. Siegfried is asked to pay a visit to an injured River just before a big race and makes an important discovery which Sebright Saunders uses as leverage to get River back on the racetrack.