It is now a quarter of a century since we last heard from Grantleigh Manor. That was the day that the indomitable Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton, the dispossessed Lady of the Manor, finally got round to marrying Richard Devere, her usurper and supermarket tycoon of Czechoslovakian stock. It was a perfect love match, yet their romance was never less than a tempestuous on-off affair due to their one-and-only source of disagreement - which was pretty well everything.

Audrey and Richard are still living in the Manor. Marjory lives in The Lodge. Richard and Audrey's 25th wedding anniversary is coming up so there is a party to plan. But before that, there is the local two in hand horse trial to conquer as well as Audrey's nephew (Alexander Armstrong) to attend to. But Richard has a secret which threatens to destroy the community, a happy marriage and a lifetime of friendships.