Sal is devastated to discover via a planning notice that a barn renovation is to take place in the field that backs onto her house. When she informs the Women's Guild, she finds that they have been well aware of the construction for some time. Sal tries her best to convince the Guild to help her fight the application.

The Guild rallies around Sal, until Rosie makes an exciting discovery from Clatterford's newest member, site manager Jock - he refuses to deny that the house is being built for actor Charles Dance. Suddenly, the appearance of a celebrity in the town changes everyone's opinion. Sal isn't convinced, though, and vows to carry on the fight alone.

Construction begins on the renovation and Sal's protest has collapsed, as the Guild is more in favour of having a celebrity neighbour than of protecting the area. As the work begins, Jock notices various men, including the vicar, going in and out of Sal's house, and he becomes suspicious.

The truth is that Sal has decided to turn her kitchen into a miniature surgery for the less-mobile locals who can't get to the main surgery. With rumours spreading around the village, Sal is forced to come clean to her sensible doctor son, James, who, in the meantime, is becoming increasingly involved in politics, meeting the local Lib Dem MP.