Peter is hired by an Estonian woman, Aeste, who claims that grumpy local farmer Jack Thriplow has 'kidnapped' her child, of whom he claims to be the father. Further investigation uncovers the use of illegal labour. Meanwhile a nervous Lyle is entered for the annual dyke-leaping contest, resulting in him becoming a very dirty boy. And the less than civil Mr. Hill is snooping around, telling Peter that brother Simon was deeply in debt.

Mr. and Mrs. Forshaw engage Peter in a case of discrimination when their daughter Laura is refused a place at Cambridge, bringing him into contact with his former tutor Professor Barkway. Gloria fails to show up for work, a squirrel gets into the attic, Beatrice is pining for Alan, and of course there's the ever-present Sidney Snell, with his cunning plan to stop the gas company building on grazing land, whilst more information about Simon's nefarious dealings comes to light.