We start back in Portwenn with Martin, but Louisa is not there. After their tumultuous time last series, Louisa has gone for a break to visit her mother in Spain: to have some time to think and get some perspective on their relationship. Martin is faced with the questions: will Louisa come back to him; and what can he do to make sure that she does? Martin knows that he needs to try and change for the sake of his marriage, and promised Louisa that he would see a therapist to try and effect this change. Aunt Ruth manages to find him someone very well qualified to see Dr. Rachel Timoney. However, life in Portwenn transpires to get in Martin's way, in the shape of Steve Baker, and the Lifeboat training exercise. Martin is not the only person inconvenienced Steve and his assistant Barry are meant to be helping Al get his Bed and Breakfast ready in time for his first guests arriving, but Steve is never there and half the walls still haven't been plastered. Al can't even rely on his father or Morwenna for help, as Bert is upset that Al hasn't wanted his help in the past, and Morwenna has been roped into the Lifeboat training exercise by her new flatmate Janice. When Steve collapses, the mock rescue becomes a real life rescue, and Martin and Penhale race out to help Morwenna to save Steve's life. But marooned at sea, Martin is going to have trouble getting back in time to speak to Louisa and is in danger of missing his first scheduled therapy session.