Blackpool

Local entrepreneur Ripley Holden, a brash, charismatic family man, holds a lavish opening for his new showpiece arcade in his beloved home town of Blackpool. However, his fortunes take a turn for the worse when he discovers the dead body of a young man on the premises. Keen to get the case cleared up, Ripley co-operates with the investigating police officer, DI Peter Carlisle.

The murder victim is identified as a young man who'd been out on his stag night. The investigation starts to threaten Ripley's business when Carlisle temporarily closes down the arcade for forensics. DI Carlisle calls Ripley's son, Danny, in for questioning; he's convinced that Danny knows more about the inquiry than he is letting on. Carlisle suspects he might be covering for his father.

Forensic evidence links Ripley ever more closely to the murder, and his application for planning permission is rejected. It seems Lady Luck has turned against him and his world is falling apart. Natalie discovers that Carlisle is a police officer, and that he has been investigating her family. She is devastated; the little time they've spent together has made her feel more alive than she has felt in years.