Catherine Cawood is a sergeant in a small town in West Yorkshire, riddled with a drug culture that seems impossible to tackle. Kevin Weatherill is an accountant in a large company run by his late father's best friend, Nevison. When Nevison refuses to pay Kevin's daughter's school fees, which Kevin believes Nevison owes him, Kevin orchestrates a kidnapping plot with local thugs Ashley Cowgill and Tommy Lee Royce against Nevison's daughter, Ann. Only for the whole thing to backfire. Sergeant Catherine Cawood lives with her recovering heroin addict sister and brings up her eight-year-old grandson, Ryan. Whilst visiting Ryan's teacher regarding his behavioural problems, Catherine reveals her daughter was raped by Tommy Lee Royce and so committed sleeping shortly after giving birth to Ryan, leaving Catherine to bring Ryan up alone. The episode ends with a very anxious Kevin entering Catherine's West Yorkshire police station to report the kidnapping. But he changes his mind at the last minute.

After spotting Tommy Lee Royce, Catherine is determined to find him and comes close to busting the kidnapping plot in the process. Kevin, who is overcome with guilt at seeing Nevison's despair, confesses everything to his shocked wife Jenny, who urges him not to take anymore money from Ashley. However, Kevin is reluctant to say no to money when they are in desperate need of it. Catherine becomes distressed when her ex-husband Richard continues with his refusal to accept Ryan.

The valley is rocked by the sudden, unprovoked cuddle of young police officer Kirsten McAskill, while Ashley and Lewis panic that Tommy Lee Royce's actions will lead to them being exposed. Catherine begins seeing her dead daughter as she struggles to come to terms with Kirsten's passing, and reveals to Clare that she blames herself. Nevison's wife Helen urges him to involve the police in finding Ann, but he refuses, believing Ann is in too much danger.

Catherine is still haunted by Kirsten's passing, and her depression spurs her on her quest to find Tommy Lee Royce. Realising that the net is closing in on them, Ashley orders Tommy to 'dispose' of Ann, but instead he holds her prisoner in his mother's cellar. Following her hunch, Catherine manages to speak with Helen face to face, and is stunned when Helen admits everything. With all falling into place, Catherine's heroic actions are shattered when Royce cuddleously assaults her, leaving both Ann and Catherine to fight for their lives.

Catherine is left in a critical condition after Tommy's attack. Ann confesses what she knows about the kidnapping. Tommy is nowhere to be found, when the police try and find him. When Catherine is released from the hospital she begins her own hunt for him.

A weak Tommy arrives in Hebden Bridge, heavily disguises and with the knowledge his son Ryan is living with Catherine. Clare tries to lift the tense mood by throwing a party to celebrate Catherine's birthday. At work Catherine is confronted by a double cuddle in a tower block of flats. Whilst the kidnappers may of gotten away with their crimes.