Howards' Way

Shellet's criminal history is raised in court. When Lynne goes missing, a worried Jan phones Frere's yacht. Jack's solicitor tricks Shellet into self-incrimination. Ken minimizes Jan's fears for Lynne. The Shellet-Rolfe court case is decided. Jan turns to Tom when Lynne can't be located. Leo gives Tom a lead to Lynne's disappearance, and later, Tom finds a clue on the jetty. Frere refuses to cooperate with Tom. Jan learns that Lynne may have been involved in an accident near Frere's yacht. Polly continues to insinuate herself into Abby's life. Frere informs Ken of his latest decision regarding the marina project. Polly taunts Leo about Abby's American lover. Contacted by the police, Tom brings news to Jan and Kate about Lynne's disappearance.

After the police inform them that Lynne has been found, Tom and Jan rush to the hospital where they're devastated by what they find. Leo feels that things will change when Abby's American lover Orrin Hudson arrives in Tarrant. Shellet threatens Frere. An infuriated Jan awaits Tom, who must take the Barracuda out for a crucial test run. Avril suggests than Jan doesn't know her husband very well at all. Polly implores Gerald to greet Orrin with her. Kate confides in Jack that her financial future hinges on a horse race. Frere ignores Gerald's advice to pay off Shellet. Leo can't hide his frustration over the situation with Lynne. Polly uses Orrin and Leo in her quest to make Abby return home. Orrin receives an odd reception from Gerald. Ken proposes another partnership with Frere. Jan reels at the latest news about Claude.

Frere examines Ken's proposed wildlife reserve development, but privately cautions Gerald to keep his involvement completely anonymous. Orrin wants to make an honest woman of Abby. Leo vows to stop Ken's land development. Avril is pursued by the parent company, which wants a big publicity stunt to launch The Barracuda. Jack stuns Avril with his commitment to the launch. Abby joins Leo's environmental fight, much to the chagrin of Orrin and Polly. Avril learns it's too late for Jack to back out of a dangerous stunt. Tom gives Ken the facts about the Howard children. Shellet goes to Gerald for his ticket out of Tarrant, but Gerald has been advised by Frere to turn him away. Sir John serves Ken his most expensive cup of coffee ever. Tom steers The Flying Fish toward danger to get Lynne back.

Shellet noses around the marina and later concocts a potentially deadly surprise for Jack. Avril finds Frere an unwelcome visitor in her home, and he's also warned away by Tom. Jan bristles when Lynne volunteers to help her father safeguard The Barracuda. Avril learns about Jack's disaster at sea. Ken delays making a firm commitment to Jan and Claude's fashion venture. The CID questions Jack. Frere demands that Gerald expedite divorce proceedings. Claude and Jan disagree about Ken's jealousy. Frere envisions a development that exceeds Ken's dreams, and later, he sets a personal scheme in motion. Ken says "yes" to one partner but "no" to another. Tom discovers that two of his most precious possessions are missing.

Tom discovers that Lynne has hijacked The Barracuda, and she refuses to return. Jan decides to go to the bank on her own if Ken won't agree to financing. Ken makes moves to ensure that conservationists don't interfere with his marina development plans. Jan rails at Ken after learning of Lynne's perilous journey. Polly interrupts a serious talk between Abby and Orrin. Lynne makes great headway in her journey. Frere solves the problem of his unnecessary marriage. Jack realizes Shellet was responsible for the accident that nearly killed him. Ken attempts to bribe Claude. Kate confides in Jack that she's in serious financial trouble. David makes a personal proposition to Avril. Lynne faces rough seas in the North Atlantic. A surprise face joins the fight against Ken's marina. Jack confronts Shellet. Tom receives devastating news about The Barracuda that he must share with Jan.

Frere decides that Ken's becoming a liability and schemes to squeeze him out. Polly inadvertently creates a potential problem for Abby. A defensive Bill questions Tom's design specifications. Troubles mount for Ken when Steve Wyndham, a local reporter, digs deeper. A financially strapped Kate decides to sell something dear to her. Two people on opposing sides need Leo's help. Lynne tries in vain to reach someone by radio contact. Abby and Leo gain more solidarity in their fight. Jack has a tantalizing proposition to help Kate get out from under. Lynne finds a surprise chaperon awaiting her in America and becomes the toast of New York. Kate and Jack make a killing at the racetrack. Leo and Abby learn the identity of stranger watching them, and then their peaceful demonstration turns violent.

Leo, in hospital, finds himself facing criminal charges. Jack sees a familiar face tending bar at the Jolly Sailor. Frere threatens Ken. Polly and Abby disagree about the best way to proceed with the court case. Orrin's father Robert Hudson arrives in Tarrant with plans to make trouble if Abby refuses to marry his son. Wyndham tells Abby that he may have proof of Ken's bribery. Robert issues a threat against Abby. Jan meets with the bank. Avril gives an impassioned speech to disgruntled workers at the Mermaid yard. Tom welcomes Lynne home. Polly confronts Leo and reveals something about Ken. Abby and Leo offer Ken a choice, but Frere refuses it, and leaves Ken as the fall man. Abby faces an impossible choice. Jan reminds Ken that he's learned a very expensive lesson. Ken's catamaran is christened. Polly has a trump card to play with Frere.

Leo and Gerald reassure Abby that the decision she made was not a selfish one. Gerald guesses why Frere changed his mind about the marina development and confronts Polly. Financial pressures move Jack to a desperate act, and his new distraction decides to move on, too. After Lynne breaks the good news, Jan cautions her daughter about past events. Bill threatens to resign from the Mermaid yard when no one heeds his warning that Tom's new catamaran has a serious design flaw. Polly refuses to answer Abby's nagging question, and later, she goes to Frere to plead Gerald's case. Jan's new business remains at risk. Leo seeks a job from Tom. Kate appears as Jack's guardian angel once again. Avril goes to great lengths to ensure that she and Tom remain their own masters. While at sea, Tom comes to a devastating realization.

Bill is ready to gloat over Tom's premature return. Avril accuses her father of being hungover again. Dawn introduces Ken to Mark Foster. Gerald assures Frere of his loyalty. Polly urges a depressed Abby to put her decision behind her and move forward. Jack attempts to dodge complaining customer Caroline Davis-Segram. Jan learns she needs Tom's consent to get a business-saving loan. Kate makes a success as Jan's new saleslady. Tom can't isolate a fault in his calculations. Leo warns Abby against getting involved with extremist Curtis Jaeger. Ken proposes a sales shows and racing partnership with Foster. Jack has a change of heart regarding Caroline. Kate refuses to give Ken a second chance. Frere digs into the past of one of the Urquharts. Tom's support touches Jan. Abby ignores Leo's sound advice. Jack and Bill rejoice in a return to their old way of doing business.

Jack's vow to keep Caroline as a client only is short lived. Jaeger pays an ominous visit to the Urquhart home. Avril suggests that the board prepare to fight Frere, who they suspect is behind the takeover bid. Sonia admits to Jan that a vendetta against Claude is affecting her suppliers. Polly and Abby quarrel when Abby raises the question of her paternity. Claude refuses Jan's request. Kate signs without a solicitor. Ken talks business with Sarah Foster and later with Kate. David accuses Avril of divided loyalties, and she thinks he doesn't know which way to jump. Tom and Lynne share a sentimental moment on the eve of her wedding. One Tarrant resident is leaving town. David accepts a secret, rather unethical invitation.

Kate reveals to Leo the depth of her debt. Abby surprises a bloodied Jaeger. Sir John questions the value of Frere's offer. Sarah changes her attitude when Ken joins her and Mark at the yacht club. Leo and Abby's friendship disintegrates. Gerald and Polly question Abby about Jaeger. Tom feels disrespected by Jack's design for Caroline's yacht. Jaeger has a plan in mind for Abby. Frere's proposed takeover of Relton Marine goes public. Kate needs Jack's sympathetic ear. Sarah and Ken exchange sexual subtext as Mark begins his power race. Leo rages at Jan's lack of attentiveness. Avril warns Tom that Frere could soon control Relton Marine and stop the Barracuda franchise.

Avril learns about Frere's success. Ken enters into partnership with the Fosters. Jan invites Kate to live with her. Jaeger spies on Southern Laboratories. Abby decides to leave home. Polly continues to evade Abby's questions. Avril refuses to tell Tom who she suspects gave Frere insider information. Jack rejects Avril and Tom's concern over the Frere takeover. Abby says goodbye to Leo. Jan lets Ken know where things stand between them, and he advises her to think carefully before turning him away. Leo discusses with his mother his feelings for Abby. The honeymooners return home. Tom receives more bad news.

Tom needs answers from Mrs. Travis to understand why the catamaran broke apart. Kate listens to Tom, who fears Avril's relationship with Frere. Polly asks Frere to help her keep Abby away from Jaeger. Abby turns to Leo after realizing what Jaeger's all about. Writs are served against the Mermaid yard and against Tom, while the Lynette is impounded before Tom can discover whether or not his design held a structural flaw. Jack and Avril suspend Tom from work, but Bill offers to support him in court. Just before Jan's fashion line launch, Lynne and Claude are involved in an accident. Following a talk with Frere, Abby tells Leo that she has to go to America. The Howard family faces yet another tragedy.