It is the thirtieth of December. Angus has gone to meet Rhona at the airport on her return from America, so Janet joins the three doctors for dinner at Arden House. Outside a blizzard is raging. Dr. Cameron, in his cups, makes a remark that scandalises Janet. Before he can apologise and put matters right he suffers a mild heart attack. The telephone line is out of order, and in any case the roads are blocked with snow and there is no possibility of getting the patient to hospital. To further complicate matters there is a power cut. Dr. Finlay has to rely on his own resources.