As the villagers mourn the passing of Tricia, a grief-stricken Mike loses his temper with an underage drinker in the pub, but it's the bobby who gets assaulted. The incident leads to the uncovering of a blackmail plot when the hooligan walks free from all charges thanks to his secret relationship with a local magistrate. Meanwhile, Vernon is delighted when an old flame pays him a visit asking him to help sell a priceless engagement ring, but his joy is short lived when her menacing husband turns out to be hot on her heels, bringing chaos in his wake. Elsewhere, Jenny is surprised by the rapid changeover at the surgery when Tricia's replacement, the elderly James Alway, turns up a day early.

Blaketon is back in Aidensfield following his time away and immediately finds himself embroiled into a dangerous investigation when Lord Ashfordly calls on his P.I. services when explosives go missing from the local quarry ahead of a Defence Minister's official visit, causing tensions to boil over and putting the former sergeant in mortal peril when he crosses swords with a deadly new foe. Meanwhile, Vernon, Bernie, David and Dr Alway become bell ringers at the local church, but they soon upset a local man when their practice sessions interfere with the sale of his cottage.