Greengrass sets out on a one-man mission when one of his oldest friends is put in the frame for a spate of burglaries at the houses of recently deceased people, forcing the old scoundrel to form an unholy alliance with Craddock to investigate and clear his friend's name. Meanwhile, Maggie comes out of maternity leave when the village is struck down with an epidemic and is forced to confront her greatest fear when her newborn son falls ill. Elsewhere, Blaketon relishes in his new role as Landlord of the Aidensfield Arms. But his plans for the pub's future rub Gina and Aunt Mary up the wrong way.

With Craddock away, Ventress relishes in his role as acting sergeant, leaving Bellamy and Mike longing for the return of narrow-minded Craddock. Ventress smells a rat when Tom Lowson, the biggest black marketer in the North Riding area during World War 11, returns to Aidensfield, whilst Maggie clashes with Tom's rebellious daughter over a shocking case of bullying - and illegal abortions. Meanwhile, Greengrass makes a promise to a dying friend, who wants to sell her valuable Georgian clock to afford a holiday at the hotel where she and her late husband spent their honeymoon. Unfortunately, Greengrass discovers her valuables are not of much value and must now come up with a plan to make a dying women's wish come true.