After a gamekeeper is shot on the moor, Nick finds himself with three suspects - his disgruntled predecessor, a damaged young girl - and the butler of one of Aunt Eileen's friends. Meanwhile, Gina is nervous because she has to attend court to apply for the license of the Aidensfield Arms. The pub's new barman Steve adds to her worries by letting Greengrass organise a pool match. Elsewhere, Maggie receives a visit from a blast from the past - her estranged husband, Dr Neil Bolton.

A new PC called Mike Bradley arrives in Aidensfield and gets off to a rocky start with Blaketon, Ventress and Bellamy. A former Met officer, Mike is cocky, has an eye for the ladies and isn't initially impressed with the old-fashioned ways of Yorkshire. However, he soon discovers that, with Nick Rowan on honeymoon, the village has turned from a peaceful community into a hive of crime and chaos. Mike leaps into action when two armed robbers raid a pipeline compound and take Greengrass and Gina hostage. The stakes are high - and Ashfordly station may never be the same again.