In the rural village of Merton-cum-Middlewick the inhabitants are preparing for a Nazi invasion. But while the worry of war looms over them, nosey-spinster Miss Skillon can't help but convince herself that the vicar's actress wife is having an affair and set about bringing her to justice. Meanwhile, there is an escaped prisoner of war on the loose, a visiting bishop, and handsome actor and a handful of meddling neighbours making life difficult.