Rob's new girlfriend Clare is under suspicion when a wild party ends in tragedy with a drugs-related death, and Miller's negative opinion of the rebellious officer deteriorates further when he discovers Rob was present at the drug-fuelled event. Meanwhile, David is delighted when his aunt, Peggy Armstrong, turns up in Aidensfield. The battleaxe is quick to take advantage of David's grief for his late mother and Vernon Scripps by moving in with him and setting up an illegal vodka still. Ventress knows Peggy of old and fills Blaketon and Gina in on the newcomer's dubious past.

Rob investigates a series of sinister animal thefts when he is called to the scene of a horseriding accident. Meanwhile, Aunt Peggy takes advantage of Blaketon's absence at the Aidensfield Arms by hosting a poker tournament, but he returns early from his golf trip and bars her and David from the pub. Elsewhere, Joyce Jowett irritates the officers at Ashfordly by constantly complaining about bad smells and noisy lorries, and the atmosphere is awkward between Helen and Rob following their night of passion.