In an effort to get Maggie to stay in Portwenn after she gets the all-clear, PC Joe Penhale tries to prove that he is the man for her - and even engineers situations where he can show off his macho side to impress her. Maggie does eventually leave but she and PC Penhale part on good terms. Martin steps in when school caretaker Mr Coley becomes confused after breathing carbon monoxide and puts the children of the school at risk. Tensions mount between Martin and Louisa as they find themselves unable to agree on anything, from schooling for their son to what to have for dinner. Feeling that things will never change, not wanting to move to London and that Martin is incapable of showing affection Louisa takes James Henry and moves in with her mother.