The Ashfordly team investigate the kidnapping of a teenager called Mel Drinkwater, who was running away to Gretna Green to marry her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Greengrass and David become pet sitters. But they have their work cut out when they are left with a cat, a dog, a lama and a goat, whilst Maggie and Neil consider having a baby.

Lord Ashfordly's sister Patricia returns to Aidensfield. Now a recovering alcoholic, Patricia is engaged to reformed criminal Ronnie Harper. As Lord Ashfordly throws a celebration in his sisters honour, Mike has his suspicions about Ronnie when a spate of burglaries occur across the village, with all the victims being guests and close friends of his lordship. Meanwhile, Bellamy persuades Mike to throw a party at the police house in another attempt to impress Sue. He is left devastated when Sue announces she is leaving the station and, to make matters worse, Craddock evicts him from the police house, whilst Greengrass enters the world of renovation with a pair of workmen called Keith and Chas.