When baby James Henry is left in her care, Mrs Tishell boards a bus out of the village leaving an enigmatic message for Dr Ellingham to meet them at the castle.

Bert's restaurant is in trouble and he is chased by loan sharks. When Eleanor has a strangulated hernia Martin has to operate himself - is surgery his true calling?

Joe goes to extreme lengths to persuade Maggie to stay. Tensions grow between Martin and Louisa. Martin steps in when the school caretaker puts the children at risk.

PC Penhale has an unexpected visitor in the shape of his ex-wife Maggie. Louisa's mother Eleanor goes on a date. Morwenna arrives at the surgery with an injured foot.

Louisa's hippie mother Eleanor (Louise Jameson) arrives in the village, immediately taking over Martin's kitchen to prepare a herbal tonic, which she later gives to the baby to stop his crying. A culinary rivalry develops between Bert and Mark Bridge, the landlord of the Crab and Lobster pub, at Portwenn Fun Day, with both keen to take advantage of the event by providing food for the spectators.

New receptionist Morwenna Newcross (Jessica Ransom) gets off to a bad start after arriving late on her first day, and her hyperactive behaviour leads Martin to believe she is high on drugs. Ruth tries to deal with an intruder on the farm who has stolen the hub caps from her car, and the sleepless nights begin to take their toll on Martin and Louisa, who are running out of ways to comfort their constantly wailing baby.

The GP returns to his former post at the surgery after the departure of Dr Dibbs, agreeing to stay until a replacement is found. He persuades a reluctant Louisa to move into his house so he can help raise their son, and suggests they could all move to London together in the future. Martin then delivers the eulogy at his aunt Joan's funeral and speaks to her sister Ruth, who proves to be just as cantankerous as he is.

The curmudgeonly GP struggles to come to terms with his new role as a father, having planned to resume his career as a consultant in London before the arrival of his and Louisa's as-yet unnamed son. To make matters worse, he begins to have serious doubts about the competency of his replacement Dr Di Dibbs when she misdiagnoses a patient as well as herself. Martin is then dealt a devastating personal blow after hearing his aunt Joan has died.