Rene suspects he is standing in the way of Sarah's happiness, despite Sarah's attempts to convince her husband of her devotion. George announces he's leaving Inverness for good, and asks James to take over the running of Ash Park. When Regina arrives distressed, the victim of apparent domestic violence, George cancels his plans, despite Elizabeth's warning that he's being manipulated. Threatened by Olivia's connection with Andrew, James encourages his wife to end the friendship. The bliss of Anna and Gino's honeymoon is tainted by a visit from Andrew.

With Anna's wedding imminent, Sarah returns to live in Inverness with Rene. Sarah determinedly suppresses her feelings for George out of loyalty and love for her husband. However it is clear that George is finding her return difficult. On the morning of Anna's wedding, George asks Elizabeth to ease tensions by giving the marriage her blessing. As the ceremony approaches, Anna wishes there was some way Jack could play a more meaningful part. But with George still unaware that Jack knows the truth, it's impossible for them both to be father of the bride.

Sarah arrives in Paris to try to forge a connection with her husband Rene, who carries immense scars, both physical and psychological. Back in Inverness, broken-hearted George hits the bottle, using alcohol to dull the pain. James does his best to pick up the pieces. Sickened by Elizabeth's part in George's heartache, Anna moves to the cottage. Jack's finding it increasingly difficult to act normally around Anna, and surprises them both by lecturing her like a father over her attitude towards Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Olivia receives word that it's time to put her plan into action.

On a high after Sarah's triumph at the Swanson's party, George and Sarah finally lay to rest any residual issues about her past and are closer than ever. But their happiness is short-lived when they return to Inverness and are faced with Regina's bombshell. Olivia continues to carry the terrible burden of her baby's fate on her own, and with Andrew's instructions in mind, is unable to tell James for fear of losing the glue that holds together their relationship. Sickened by Elizabeth and Regina's scheming, Anna and Gino book the Catholic Church for their wedding in defiance.

As a new year dawns, Sarah and George continue to grow closer, with George determined to put any residual issues about Sarah's past behind him. Elizabeth hosts a social event at Ash Park designed to socially humiliate Sarah by highlighting how out of her depth she is in formal society. Determined to find a way to make the Blighs pay for his recent mortification, Andrew throws himself behind the party too. Unbeknownst to James, Olivia sees a specialist, who confirms her worst fears. Hurt by Jack's rejection, Carolyn confronts him over his behaviour, admitting she's in love with him. Although he feels the same, Jack struggles to trust her with his issues.

As Christmas approaches, the inhabitants of Ash Park are haunted by memories of Christmas' past, the repercussions continuing to cast a long shadow over the years. As Sarah feared, George is thrown into turmoil by the horrifying account of her concentration camp experiences at the hands of the Nazis. Elizabeth is heartened by the tension between George and Sarah, assuming it is caused by differing attitudes towards James' situation. But Sarah once again proves to be a formidable adversary. Aware that he'll never properly move forward unless he's honest about his true nature, James takes Olivia and George to the scene of his kiss with Harry, challenging them to acknowledge who James really is. Furious to learn that Andrew is coming to stay for Christmas, Anna brings Gino to dinner.

At Sarah's insistence, George, Olivia and Sarah visit James, determined to assess the truth of his treatment. Sarah is particularly affected, having gone through similar tortures, all in the name of recovery. When James returns to Ash Park Anna is distraught to learn what James has been through, and the truth about her brother's sexuality. When Jack discovers Sarah's employment file is missing from the hospital Sarah is forced to tell George her darkest secret - it will be far worse coming from someone else. But in doing so, will she lose the man she loves?

On the eve of Sarah and George's engagement party at Ash Park, Sarah's Aunt Peg arrives for the event, full of wonder at how much Sarah's life has changed, it's like a fairy tale. However Sarah confides in her aunt, desperately needing to speak her most dark, shameful secret to someone. She believes she can't marry George without telling him. Intending to invite his son to the party, George attempts to visit James in the hospital but is fobbed off by Dr Milson. Left unsettled by the exchange, he expresses his unease to Elizabeth, who reassures him - she has absolute faith in the doctor and his treatment.

In the aftermath of Bert's death and its subsequent cover-up, those involved search for inner peace. But while Sarah battles her own demons, she is well aware that Colin's suffering is tenfold. James' treatment continues to cause him suffering and Jack is determined for answers after Carolyn's revelation.

In the aftermath of Bert's death and its subsequent cover-up, those involved search for inner peace. But while Sarah battles her own demons, she is well aware that Colin's suffering is tenfold. James' treatment continues to cause him suffering and Jack is determined for answers after Carolyn's revelation.