With the departure of Dr Dibbs, Dr Ellingham moves back into his old surgery, agreeing to stay for a couple of months until a replacement can be appointed.

With the departure of Dr Dibbs, Dr Ellingham moves back into his old surgery, agreeing to stay for a couple of months until a replacement can be appointed.

Determined to get to grips with fatherhood he asks Louisa to move into his house so he can help to raise their child. He even suggests that Louisa and 'baby' could move to London with him.

Louisa reluctantly agrees to move into the doc's house, and offers to help with reception duties, as the previous receptionist, Pauline has left. But Louisa is none too sure about the move to London. She had hoped to resume her career as headmistress of the village school.

Villagers pack the village church for the funeral of the doc's Aunt Joan. They are shocked when Martin's eulogy becomes a health warning about the dangers to the heart of eating the wrong food.

Aunt Joan's sister Ruth Ellingham attends the funeral and demonstrates the same cantankerous character as her nephew. She has no more intention of staying in Portwenn than Martin does. But Joan has left her the house and farm.