It is Louisa's first day back at school and their new child minder, Mel, is late for work. When Mel finally does arrive Martin is dubious about handing James over to this woman who is constantly scratching.
A stranger stops dead in his tracks when he sees Ruth in the village, and later he spies on her when she is having a coffee with Caroline. Ruth is not sure why, but she starts feeling uneasy.
Louisa wants Martin to engage more with James, so she arranges for him to take their baby to playgroup, where he has to pair up with a mother and daughter and sing songs.
Mrs Tishell returns to the village. Martin has to work out what is wrong with beach comber Lorna. Al and Morwenna have an internet dating disaster, and romance is blossoming for Bert and Jennifer.