Masked and armed robbers assault George Ward at the Aidensfield Arms shortly after closing time locking him, Greengrass and PC Rowan up in the basement of the pub while they get away. Apparently Greengrass has noticed something about the robbers, but he is not particularly eager to talk. His information leads to Alec Robinson, but he has left his family for another woman - or at least so his wife Nell and two daughters say.

The Frankie Rio Trio once belonged at the top of the charts, but popularity has dropped and now they are struggling for a comeback. Now finances are so low they have to skip a hotel bill. They are on their way to Aidensfield, where they will stay with their old friend Vernon Scripps until an important gig in Whitby. On the way pick up a young woman, Rachel Godwin, and her baby and give her a lift to Aidensfield where her parents live. She has run away from a maternity hospital because she does not want to give up the baby for adoption and is now on her way to her parent's house in the village. While she calls her mother to prepare her Frankie is scared off by the sight of PC Walker and the trio drives off without knowing they have an extra passenger.