 The war is finally over and James returns to Darrowby to rejoin his partners, Sigfried and Tristan Farnon, in veterinary practice. James is having difficulty re-adjusting to civilian life however. His first call is to Mr. Biggins, who is the same old self and does nothing but complain about the vet s service. Relations are also strained with Helen: James is short-tempered with little Jimmy and can t seem to open up to her about his feelings. Mrs. Hall has passed on and Sigfried hires a new housekeeper, Mrs. Hubbard, whose culinary skills turn out to be somewhat lacking. Tristan, older but not necessarily wiser, is back with the bell ringers. Sigfried meets an old flame, Caroline, who returns to Darrowby after living in America.