In the quiet North Yorkshire village of Aidensfield a policeman's lot is often a very happy one. So found PC Nicholas Rhea whose colourful and warm-hearted stories of his countryside beat in the 1960s are the inspiration behind the enormously popular television drama, 'Heartbeat'.
When Sergeant Blaketon learns of the Swanland Corporation's plan to build a reservoir in a beautiful valley near Aidensfield he is more than a little concerned. The project, he is convinced, will result in drunken brawls between construction workers and the local men, competition for and among the local women, and a general disruption of village life.
As work gets under way, however, the community of Aidensfield remains relatively unchanged. But as PC Nick patrols his beat he becomes aware that, for some, the dam cannot help but have its effect. Local artist Gordon Precious and his glamorous wife Deirdre seem to be heading for stormy waters and teenagers Elaine and Denise have developed an alarming fascination with the construction site . . .
