Episode one
There’s still no word from Peter Kingdom’s missing brother Simon, so Peter is happily taking on the role of surrogate father. Simon’s son Daniel and the baby’s mother Honor have moved in and Peter has to learn about nappy changing and feeding times.
The local Women’s Institute calls for Peter’s help in their bid to save the local lighthouse from closure. Their petition to the Trinity House Lighthouse Authority has been met with a resounding no.
Elsewhere, Lyle and Peter get caught up in a burger war between two brothers when they stop in a lay-by for a snack. There are two burger vans on opposite sides of the road, but they are both deserted. Then they catch sight of two men fighting in the adjacent field. They pull the punch-up apart but can Peter use his powers of persuasion to convince the brothers to talk about it and work together instead of going through with any expensive legal action?
The christening of Daniel is a great success and Beatrice and Peter are both proud godparents. Later that evening, as they return home and put their beloved Daniel to bed, a strange smell wafts in from the sitting room and Beatrice and Peter are greeted with something of a surprise.
Episode Two
Pressure is mounting on Peter as he is forced to hide his fugitive brother Simon, who has begged him not to go to the police.
With gossip spreading rapidly through Market Shipborough how long can he keep Simon’s reappearance a secret? Lyle is worried about the effect on Kingdom and Kingdom. Hiding a criminal could put the entire business in jeopardy.
Honor and Simon are reunited, although it is hardly a match made in heaven. Simon is also introduced to his son Daniel and then has to face up to some new responsibilities.
At Aunt Auriel’s, Patricia Wright seeks Peter Kingdom’s help when she fears that an attractive nurse who is caring for her seriously ill father may be after his money.
Peter talks to the elderly Mr Wright (Richard Briers) and meets his nurse Heather (Lucy Benjamin). Something catches his eye in their companionship, but Heather is also abrasive and rude, fiercely defensive of Mr Wright. Is she protecting their relationship or her own more selfish intentions?
Episode three
Simon Kingdom (Dominic Mafham) is in police custody on suspicion of identity fraud and other related charges.
Peter’s (Stephen Fry) hands are tied as he cannot represent his brother and he decides that for once he must let Simon face the consequences of his actions. Peter walks away from the police station with a heavy heart.
He washes his hands of Simon and refuses to stand bail for him. Gloria (Celia Imrie), worried at Peter’s rejection of his brother in his hour of need, instructs Lyle (Karl Davies) to prepare the case for Simon’s bail hearing.
If they can’t secure bail, the good name of Kingdom and Kingdom will never recover.
Lyle, quickly bored and dispirited looking through files and documents on Simon, opens a bag that Simon left in the hall when he was arrested. Lyle gets a huge shock when he looks inside and discovers half million pounds in cash.
Episode four
Simon is back at Kingdom and tells Peter he’s ready to begin work. Peter is taken aback by Simon’s blasé attitude and reminds him the Law Society have imposed strict conditions on his practice certificate.
Meanwhile a sponsorship deal has fallen through at the local cricket club. Mrs Olivia Godfrey needs Peter's help. Her business - local sex shop Tiger Lily’s - should be emblazoned across the cricket team kit but instead all she can see is the logo for Exhausts R Us. Peter and Lyle are embarrassed to have to visit Olivia in her sex shop. Peter assures Olivia that they will do their utmost to sort the mess out – the cricket club have gone back on their word, and that just isn’t cricket.
Meanwhile, Simon is up to his old Casanova tricks again and is locked in a passionate affair with a mystery blonde. Peter is horrified to discover the identity of the new girlfriend.
Lyle is called upon to represent Henny Leach (Miriam Margolyes), a mature lady who is refusing to pay her council tax. She has a mountain of unpaid fines and seems to see herself as a wannabe Yoko Ono.
Episode five
Peter assumes that he is in Cambridge to deliver a speech, nothing more. But Barkway has ulterior motives.
A college biologist, Dr Mary Goodyear, has died overseas and some of her research has been stolen.
Her lesbian lover of many years, librarian Janet Cramer has appropriated Dr Goodyear's papers.
Barkway wants the papers back, for the good of the college, of course. Peter remembers that Barkway will soon be invested as master.
Episode six
As Simon’s trial is fast approaching, he finally manages to talk to Peter about the possible consequences.
One thing is for certain, with a jail sentence likely, Simon needs to get his life in order and the Kingdom brothers discuss what will happen to his share of the partnership.
They invite Lyle to take an early position of responsibility, offering him Simon’s stake in the company, and Lyle is understandably overjoyed.
So much so he doesn’t hesitate when Auriel asks him to play the part of Miranda in The Tempest, which means wearing a frilly, pink dress.
But then Simon’s trial is dropped due to a lack of evidence and poor Lyle is left in a dress, with no hope of partnership. He’s crestfallen.
