Blaketon asks Steve to accompany a group of delinquents on an outdoor adventure course on the moors, but trouble is not far behind when two cousins manipulate their way onto the trip with an ulterior motive. Meanwhile, Vernon's latest venture sees him unsuccessfully trying to persuade Lord Ashfordly to rent out Ashfordly Hall to a religious sect looking for somewhere to hold their meditation convention. Elsewhere, Steve's mother Babs returns to Aidensfield and makes it clear she is back for good by getting a job as assistant librarian to Joyce Jowett.