Howard Franklin arrives in Aidensfield with a special request. His wife has just died and her last wish was to be laid to rest in the family grave although they have had no contact with her family since World War I. But her mother Hannah Stockdale blames Franklin for keeping her daughter away from her and for the loss of her two eldest sons in the war, and she will not even give him the time of day. On arrival he discovers that his suitcase with her urn has been switched by mistake. The annual county fête draws nearer and sergeant Blaketon has everybody on their toes. Napper Minto's dog is the favorite to win the Lurcher Challenge Cup at the fête, but Greengrass is determined that Alfred should be this year's winner and changes the odds in his own dog's favor.

Three children are exploring the garden of a sinister, old house near Aidensfield when the youngest of them, Peter, suddenly disappears. The whole village takes part in the search. The police concentrate their efforts around a mysterious van that Gina saw racing by just as the two elder kids pass her and PC Wetherby in the street; the police fear the boy has been kidnapped. Luckily he is soon found in a well near the old house, and a major rescue operation is launched. The rescue draws nationwide attention and soon Aidensfield is invaded by journalists from all over the country- including the prominent Sheridan Ralph who is very upset when he can't get a room at the Aidensfield Arms. Aunt Peggy does not hesitate to take advantage of the situation and offers him a room at her place - for at small fee of course. This decision is one she soon finds reason to regret since he is a very bothersome customer. Oscar Blaketon has other concerns than the rescue. He has noticed signs of a growing attraction between Gina and the newly divorced PC Wetherby-signs that don't go unnoticed by Sheridan Ralph either. But there might be a much more interesting story to tell when suddenly gun shots are fired from inside the old house, and it is determined that the house is inhabited by an aged and mysterious man.