Barry Dixon returns to Aidensfield to start a new life when he is released from prison. But he has company. By detective Ed Baxter employed by the insurance company who had to pay up for the bank robbery that Dixon committed. Baxter starts to follow Dixon everywhere he goes hoping he will lead him to money. Ron and Doreen Tidy are on a hiking trip when they are stopped by Lord Ashfordly's keepers, who say that they are trespassing although the path is marked as public right of way on all maps. Together with the Boltons they stage a public demonstration to get Lord Ashfordly to open the path again. When the old chimney sweep Jim Fiedler dies Greengrass decides to take over his business. Especially the lucrative part of blessing newlyweds. Speaking of newlyweds things are heating up romantically between Mike Bradley and Jackie Lambert.

There is a new bobby in Aidensfield. Steve Crane will replace PC Bradley, who has been transferred to CID. Crane is not the only newcomer in the village. Dr. Liz Merrick moves in at the surgery as the new GP in Aidensfield. She is concerned about the loss of patients since her predecessor died, but Vernon Scripps offers to deliver a letter from her to every potential patient in the village. Two neighbouring farms have been broken into, but the owners Jack Farrow and Walter Rawlins say the break-ins are mere trifles and not worth any police attention. PC Crane does not agree and suspects they cover something up. Gerald Dunphy is wanted for armed robbery and Mike's first case as a detective constable is to keep an eye on his girlfriend in case he shows up.