There has been a dance at the youth club in Aidensfield and 15-year old Maureen asks PC Bradley if he would walk her home. Bradley thinks it is only a schoolgirl prank and tells her to ask a boy of her own age. She has a crush on him, but she also claims that somebody is following her. And a couple of nights later Maureen disappears on her way home from the club. The new sergeant, Raymond Craddock, arrives at Ashfordly police station. He is very narrow-minded and goes strictly by the book and when his mind has been made up it stays that way - even if he is wrong.

The bank has refused Richard Harvey a respite on his loan and will auction off his farm, but Harvey does not give up without a fight. It turns out to be a very mucky affair, literally, and that is just the beginning. Gina is smitten by Mark Jenkins, who hopes to make a good deal at the auction, but Oscar Blaketon has his doubts about him. Given Gina's previous experiences with men he is probably right. David makes horse radish sauce for Gina using his Auntie Beth's recipe. It is a very good sauce and Vernon Scripps thinks marketing it will turn a very good profit. He even promises David that he will have his name and picture on the labels.