Howards' Way - Season 4

Charles' and Avril's lives hang in the balance as they lie in intensive care. Meanwhile, Sir Edward, Jan and Jack fly out to Ireland to be by their side. When an old boyfriend of Emma's appears on the scene, Tom struggles to suppress his jealousy. Because of the accident, Relton share prices begin to fall and Ken is more than eager to cash in, much to Sarah's disgust. Polly, Gerald and Abby begin to make amends as Abby grows closer to her grandfather, Sir Edward. Charles' priority is his health and his father waits for Jan's answer to his proposal. Sarah threatens to rebel against Ken.

Jan struggles to keep the theft of Anna's design plates under wraps, especially as Antonia puts her under pressure to come up with the goods. Amanda's father and Leo discuss the finer points of the divorce. Charles holds a press conference and is determined to spend more time with Avril and Abby. Sir Edward involves Tom and the Mermaid Yard with designs for the America's Cup. Polly sets her sights on becoming a top business woman and will do anything to succeed. Leo wants to take up power boat racing for Leisure Cruise while Ken encourages Antonia to spill the beans about Jan's loss.

Charles is disturbed to learn that Avril has discharged herself from the clinic and even more worried about her state of mind when she arrives for work as if nothing has happened. Sir Edward enrages Jan when he formally announces their engagement without her permission. Because of the Mermaid's involvement with the America's Cup, security is stepped up at the yard. However Jack is not too pleased. Jan offers Tom her shares in the Mermaid to help save her from bankrupcy. Leo races for Relton and Abby does a photoshhot. Polly's business ambitions continue to grow

Sir Edward searches for oil with a total disregard for the bird sanctuary. Meanwhile, Ken has his own entrepreneurial ideas. Tom and Emma continue with their America's Cup design. Jan and Polly discuss business matters and Jan is resolute that she does not want to sell. In order to prevent Abby's custody battle being compromised, Sir Edward interferes with her relationship with Leo. Sarah collaborates with Avril but Charles is not convinced of her motivations. Jack needs some persuading if he is to stay at the yard. As Avril and Charles become more distant, she suffers from flashbacks to just prior to the crash; she distinctly recalls a proposal of marriage

Ken learns of Sarah's duplicity and tries his hand at blackmail. He is also devastated to learn of Sir Edward's real business motivations. There is tension between Gerald and Avril but a nonchalant Charles refuses to become involved. Jan is befriended by fashion executive John Soames but their business relationship does not run smoothly. Avril discusses her marriage proposal with her father and then informs Charles of her decision. Jack and Kate have a big win at the races while at the Mermaid Yard, Tom finds Sir Edward's increasingly controlling ways frustrating.

Sir Edward does some grovelling and provides Tom with some inside information about the America's Cup. Meanwhile, when Jan runs out of stock, Sir Edward lends her a hand. Ken and Sarah's business relationship becomes more acrimonious when there is a press leak. Charles and Avril debate Sarah's loyalty. Some of Anna's stolen designs turn up in an unexpected place. Jack is involved in a medical emergency.

It's a race against time to save Jack's life. Ken's dubious past means that he has to rely on Sarah to secure the Langrcrest deal he's after. Jan is determined to find out who stole Anna's designs and Leo and Ken help her out. Charles involves Tom in his plans to create a new, international boat race. Avril and Charles doubt Gerald's business acumen. The Mermaid has a glut of horsepower engines. Sarah gives her resignation to an embittered Ken.

Leo pressurises Ken into allowing him to race for Leisure Cruise in the world championships, and Ken agrees but only with the condition that Parker supports him. Meanwhile, Sarah reveals some business secrets to Charles. Polly continues in her entrepreneurial business venture without Jan's say. Abby continues to be concerned about her custody battle but receives a boost when her photographs of Tarrant life are shown at her father's exhibition. Jack keeps his distance from the Mermaid Yard. Tom is not convinced by Charles' latest business proposal but Emma is more positive. Jan is livid at Sir Edward's continued interference in the relationship between Abby and Leo. The Orkadian goes missing.

Jan's concerns for Polly's plans to go into direct competition cause further disquiet. There are problems when Emma takes the Orkadian for a trial run without Jack's knowledge. Abby is eager for her photographic exhibition to be a critical success while Tom and Emma accept an appealing business proposition from Charles. Ken seeks revenge by telling tales about Sarah's discussions with Sir John Stevens and Polly is all too obliged to spread the news. Meanwhile, Sir Edward expresses an interest in Jan's personal life. Charles demands that Sarah brings hard evidence of fraud at Langcrest.

Ken is secretly pleased when Mike uncovers some secrets from Sir John Steven's past. Gerald attempts to suppress the conflict between Charles and Avril over the Langcrest deal. Under the guise of impressing Robert Hudson, Sir Edward convinces Jan to pose as his future wife. Meanwhile, Charles gives Abbie support when she raises concerns that her grandfather is manipulating her. The Tarrant Treasure Hunt takes place, organised by Jack and Emma. Sarah continues to extort information from the unwitting Mike. Over a drink, Jan and Emma discuss their relationship with Tom. Sarah is caught red-handed by Ken.

Robert Hudson arrives in Tarrant to discuss custody of William. When Polly supports Robert in apportioning blame on Abby, Gerald is livid with her. Charles is worried about Sarah's shares in Leisurecruise and things come to a head when he has dinner with Avril. Later, when Charles demands that Sarah be dismissed, Avril threatens to resign. Jack and Tom have a fracas at the Mermaid Yard. Ken continues on his mission to expose Sir John Stevens' in the press. An angry Jan melodramatically returns her gifts to Edward and accepts a lift from Ken.

Tom and Jack do some male bonding whilst out fishing. Polly is concerned to learn that Gerald has been cashing cheques from their account; they are virtually bankrupt. However, he will not reveal where the money has gone. Later, much to Polly's delight, they have reason to celebrate. Charles blames Avril for Tom's latest independent business venture. Things go from bad to worse when Avril blames Charles' conflict with his father for the destruction of their relationship. Then Charles demands Sarah's resignation without Avril's agreement. When he later attempts to make ammends, Avril is anything but impressed. Gerald is instucted to sell Relton shares in order to obtain money to buy Maclean Leisure. However, Gerald is worried it will expose them to a potential take over bid. Abby returns home, putting the custody of William at risk. Jan tells Sir Edward that she cannot be bought, at any price.

Leo's racing ambition comes to a drastic halt while Ken celebrates a success. Sir Edward gives Tom a business offer he can't refuse. Charles is desperate to puchase a golf course from under his father's nose. There is a mystery buyer of Charles' recently released Relton Marine shares. Later when Charles attempts to reconcile with Avril, he is shocked to learn that she now has a stake; she also suggests he resign. Charles is further concerned that Sir John Stevens played a big part in Avril's dominance and that Sarah also holds a substantial share. Sir John gives Avril some sound business advice. Abby makes plans to visit the Hudson's in the states. Meanwhile, Sir Edward and Polly make plans to develop the business and a future for William. Jan sacks Polly from the boutique. Tom and Emma make a good impression with their business accumen and boat design. Gerald has a visit from the fraud squad and Ken's duplicity is revealed.