Martin suspects Louisa may have anaemia. Aunt Joan is forced to receive treatment from Martin after nearly running someone over. The Doc is approached by Alison Lane, who worries about her daughter Delph's behaviour.

Bert Large opens a restaurant in Portwenn, but when a food-poisoning alert appears to be connected to it, it could be a short-lived opening. When Louisa contracts food-poisoning, Martin is rather self-consciously forced to treat her in her bedroom.

Anthony and Terri Oakwood move in next door to Louisa with their son, Sam, who is given extreme freedom by his parents to express himself. The new arrivals interrupt a planned dinner between Louisa and Martin, and Martin leaves abruptly.

Mrs Wilson, the hypochondriac owner of the Wilson hotel, forces her attentions on a very indifferent Martin, which makes Louisa jealous anyway. Joan dates a much younger man than her, much to Martin's surprise.

Martin and Louisa go on a date, but his usual bluntness ruins a romantic moment, and Louisa ends the struggling relationship. However, a friend of Louisa's visiting from the City, Holly, injures her back on the beach, and is forced to remain in Portween. Martin has to treat her at Louisa's house, while at the same time trying to overcome his own distraction at Louisa's dismissal of him.

As an excited Portwenn digests the news that Martin and Louisa are engaged, it's business as usual for the doctor. Beth Sawle's knee wound is not responding to the treatment he's prescribed, and when Martin visits the remote cottage where she lives with her strange sister Janet, he makes a disturbing discovery. Meanwhile, Bert's restaurant is in financial trouble, prompting son Al to take decisive action.