With Eleanor recovering from her operation and half the school down with the flu Martin agrees to baby-sit James for Louisa. When her husband seeks Martin's advice Mrs. Tishell volunteers to mind the child but she has hidden affections for Martin.
Al is shocked to hear that his father is in debt to loan shark and lends him the money Ruth gave him to buy a new fence. When the Tonkens demand interest Bert plans a money-making Spanish evening suggested by Eleanor.
As Maggie regains her memory and aims to leave Portwenn,a desperate Joe tries to impress her into staying by being assertive. Louisa returns to school where the children fall prey to a mystery illness which Martin links to dementing caretaker Mr. Coley.
Joe Penhale is shocked when his ex-wife Maggie,seemingly amnesiac and believing that they are still married,arrives in Portwenn. Not to upset her,he plays along but eventually has to seek Martin's advice.
As the first annual Portwenn charity fun run leads to unfit casualties and a price war between Bert and publican Mark Bridge Louisa's feckless,long-absent mother Eleanor turns up at the surgery.
Ruth is disturbed when reclusive neighbour Shirley Dunwich tells her that her surly young son Michael is trying to poison her and,since Ruth has no liking for Michael,who stole her hub caps for his art installation,she believes her,informing Martin.
Portwenn gathers to pay its last respects to Joan at a less than perfect funeral where the hearse is late,young pall-bearer Harry collapses,dropping the coffin and Joe Penhale's phone goes off. Martin's oration is also more of a health lecture.
Martin drives Louisa and their baby son back to Portwenn, where the locals bring them presents. Diana Dibbs, Martin's nervous replacement,has already arrived,with her husband Gavin as her receptionist but Martin is not impressed by her competence.
Martin is driving when he sees Tasha fall from the Harbour Day stage. With a little bit of help, he's able to diagnose Tasha’s medical condition, and is shocked to learn she's married to Tommy, who is driving Louisa to her hospital appointment.
Dr. Martin Ellingham seeks out Louisa to talk about his new surgeon’s job in London, but they are interrupted by BERT, who wants to plan a baby shower for Louisa.
Dr. Martin Ellingham meets Portwenn’s new midwife, Molly, who will be looking after LOUISA. Martin is dismissive of her profession, and the two of them do not hit it off.
Dr. Ellingham is in London to meet with Robert Dashwood, who is leading the selection process for a prestigious London surgeon's job. Robert can tell that Martin has finally conquered his debilitating blood phobia and is confident Martin will get the job.
Martin sees Mr. and Mrs. McLynn behaving oddly in the village, and makes an astonishing diagnosis. PC Penhale is nearly injured in the process.
Tired of renting, Louisa is looking for somewhere to live in the village. Aunt Joan suggests she visits Mr Routledge to ask him about his plans, but when Martin discovers Louisa there, something unexpected happens.
Louisa goes to hospital for a routine check-up and discovers that Edith is going to be her doctor. Louisa learns something about Martin and Edith’s relationship during medical school that shocks her.
Louisa has left, and Martin has begun to question what keeps him in Cornwall. Martin has realized that if he is ever to escape, he must conquer his worst fear: the blood phobia that ended his surgical career.