Blackpool

Brash, charismatic local entrepreneur Ripley Holden holds a lavish opening for his new state-of-the-art amusement arcade in Blackpool. His fortunes look set to change for the worse when one morning he discovers the dead body of a young man on the premises. He attempts to co-operate with the investigating officer, D.I. Carlisle, but Carlisle has clearly taken a dislike to Ripley.Family life adds to Ripley's headache, as his young trouble-making son Danny is seemingly hiding something, and his 20-year-old daughter Shyanne brings home an extremely unsuitable new boyfriend.

The murder investigation ramps up. With his arcade still closed for forensics, Ripley is on a very short fuse. DI Carlisle calls Danny in for questioning, convinced he knows more than he's letting on about the dead young man. Ripley's finances are stretched, leaving his investment pals very nervous. Natalie agrees to go on a date with Carlisle unaware who he really is. Shayanne confronts Steve about his text breakup with her.

Natalie discovers that Carlise is a police officer investigating her family...and is devastated. Danny starts to fray at the edges, and after being set up in a drugs bust, turns himself into the police, confessing to the murder. Shyanne's boyfriend Steve is beaten up, she's convinced her father arranged it. Ripley's planning permission for the hotel/casino is denied.

Danny reaches breaking point and Ripley finds him ready to commit suicide, in a similar way he had tried as a teenager. Ripley then goes to Carlisle and claims he was the one who moved the body from the bedsit to the arcade. Natalie tells Carlisle to stay away from her family. Steve using the money Ripley gave him to stay away from Shyanne buys her an engagement ring.

Ripley struggles to hang onto whats left of his business and marriage. Marr, Ripley's financial advisor reveals his true intentions and Terry confesses he's told police about Ripley's activities the night of the murder.Despite Natalie providing Ripley with an alibi for the night of the murder, she's temporarily reunited with Carlisle.She's set to leave Blackpool with the next day..Then, Ripley finds out...

On the morning of Shyanne and Steve's wedding, Ripley tells Natalie he knows about her affair with DI Carlisle. At the wedding, Carlisle turns up, ready to arrest Ripley for the murder. In turn, Ripley points out the fact he was having an affair with the suspect's wife while running the investigation. As the revelations continue, Ripley finally realises Danny is gay, and his son's involvement in the murder.Ripley comes to terms with the fact that Natalie is in love with Carlisle.