The plight of an elderly widow prompts Philip to ask Oscar Randolph, the local supermarket tycoon, to help him aid the elderly in the parish. Philip soon discovers that Oscar, as usual, is helping no one but himself.

When Philip tries to alter the parish hall bookings, he comes into conflict with a local martial arts club. A firm hand is called for, especially when Philip is invited to shatter a few tiles himself.

The baptism of a child should be a happy occasion, but in this case, the father and the grandfather can't agree on anything, let alone a name. When a commonsense approach fails, Emma rushes in where Philip fears to tread.

Philip is visited by a stranger who believes he has a divine mission to fulfill. A few days later they meet again, but, on this occasion, the stranger has a gun.

When his father decides to emulate Philip and take on a tough urban parish, Philip tries to dissuade him. His arguments end up falling upon deaf ears, two of which belong to a ventriloquist's dummy.