With their wit, charm and a little bit of cunning, the Larkins woo Charley the Tax Man. Mariette agrees to put her plans on hold and stay for the summer.

Ma is worried that Pop is working too hard and books a weekend in Margate, leaving Charley and Mariette to mind the kids. Margate, however, threatens to be a let-down.

News reaches Pop that the train station is to close. With the help of Miss Chand and the villagers, Pop seizes the opportunity to save the railway and make money along the way.

The Larkins have visitors they would rather avoid. There is tension between Mariette and Charley, Alec Norman is up to his old dirty tricks and the truth about Tom Fisher’s plans emerge. Can Primrose save the day, and where has Mariette disappeared to?

The Larkins dash to the railway station and manage to stall Mariette's departure to France. They convince her to stay for a donkey derby/gymkhana and cocktail party in a few days.

Charley's parents come to visit the Larkins, but a quiet and respectful dinner plan goes awry when the village suffers a power cut.