Kate is determined to return to normal, although she is dying of leukaemia. Nick's efforts to make every second count are threatening his job, especially when the locals are targeted by a petrol thief. Nick finally snaps when Blaketon issues him a warning, and it is not long before Kate's illness becomes common knowledge. The villagers pull together in their most darkest hour, as Nick's worst nightmare becomes a cruel reality. Meanwhile, Greengrass discovers the dim-witted David Stockwell is being bullied into stealing petrol by an old school friend and takes the hapless youngster under his wing.

When a young couple's new life comes crashing down, they take actions against those who have wronged them, but when their troubles coincide with a spate of cottage burglaries, it is up to Nick to protect them from village scrutiny and a case of injustice. Meanwhile, Blaketon finds himself fending off the advances of Nick's cockney mother, Kate's aunt Eileen returns to Aidensfield to help with baby Katie, whilst Greengrass tries to con newcomers into buying land that doesn't belong to him.