Nick and Jo's date is cut short when Nick is called to investigate a robbery at Ashfordly Hall, with the most likely suspect being a stables owner desperately trying to save his failing business, whilst Jo gets on the wrong side of Lord Ashfordly's latest gamekeeper when she accidentally leads a group of schoolchildren across his Lordships land. Meanwhile, Greengrass begins an import business selling American beer with his nephew and his American friend, a former US army soldier who arouses Blaketon's suspicions, whilst George considers closing the Aidensfield Arms as his financial crisis continues.

Nick is put in a compromising position when Jo makes the rash assumption that an aspiring young cricketer who is playing truant from school is being abused by his father, causing the youngster to run away. Meanwhile, Greengrass and a stables owner "borrow" Lord Ashfordly's horse in another money-making scheme, whilst Ventress tries to hide his gambling debts from a suspicious Blaketon, and Aunt Eileen begins work as a chef at the Aidensfield Arms.