Howards' Way - Season 5

Leo begins to recover and Abby is there to help. Charles is concerned about being investigated by the fraud squad and Avril questions Gerald about what's going on. Meanwhile, in Polly's absence, Gerald and Abby share their concerns about the impending fraud trial. Jan wants to expand her business but doesn't want advice from Ken. Emma has an offer from Paul Dimitri and is aggravated by Tom's continued close relationship with Jan. Avril introduces Ken to an old friend of hers, Laura Wilding, who would be able to help him produce boat moulds for Leisurecruise; Ken is so impressed by her business that he wants to buy the company. Jack meets old flame Vanessa Andenberg and the spark is rekindled. Emma hands in her resignation. Avril is livid with Leo when he attempts to race again. Charles discovers that his efforts to avoid charges of fraud have not gone to plan.

Jack tries to convince Tom that breaking up with Emma is not such a terrible thing. Charles prepares his legal team in order to avoid a fraud prosecution. Ken asks Tom to design a boat for Leisurecruise. When Charles and Gerald are cleared of all charges, the fraud squad are unhappy with Ken for supplying inaccurate information. Jan meets James Brooke, her potential competitor. After some business talks they decide to join forces rather than work against each other. Vanessa and Ken discuss the possibility of going into partnership however her father is not too impressed with Ken. Avril and Charles have a confrontation about Relton shares: he claims he wants to protect the company from a take over bid. Later Charles begins to organise a vote of no confidence against Avril. Charles tells Avril he holds no qualms about destroying her in order to regain control of Relton. When Ken tries to seduce Laura, he finds himself left out in the cold.

Gerald is perturbed to discover the Fraud Squad is still trailing him. Jack finds Vanessa easy to talk to and he confides his daughter's problems in her. Jan and James forge ahead in their new business venture HowardBrooke. Laura is keen to join forces with Ken but Tom is more reticent. With the fraud trial out of the way, Charles focuses all his attentions on removing Avril from Relton. He is also concerned that the Hudson's are keeping an eye on Abby. Furthermore, he is determined to find out who is responsible for implicating him in fraudulent dealings. Avril wants Leo to race for Relton and he wants her support in building a new boat. When Charles attempts to ruin Avril's reputation with the Relton board, he finds things are not as easy as he had imagined. Abby travels with Leo to the Isle of White. During a moment of passion they are interrupted by Polly. Abby and Polly, who has just returned from the States, argue about William. Later when she meets Gerald it is a cold reunion: he is particularly unhappy about her close relationship with Sir Edward. Ken's attempts to unnerve Avril fall on hollow ground. Charles meets up with Eckhardt Sahnn and persuades him to help oust Avril.

Jack and Avril go with Laura to Jimmy's funeral. Polly attempts to convince Abby to go to the States however Abby has other ideas. In an effort to reconcile Abby and Orin, Polly organises for him to visit. When Orin arrives it is evident he has come on business as well as personal matters. James and Jan are at loggerheads. Ken and Laura officially go into partnership. Laura lunches with Avril and uses what she learns to her advantage: she is prepared to gain significantly from Charles and Avril's feud. Later, Charles pays Avril a visit and tells her she will have her work cut out preventing a vote of no confidence. Orin's political ambitions result in him telling Ken to report Eckhardt Sahnn to the Fraud squad. Meanwhile Polly tells Jan that Leo should forget about having a relationship with Abby and confesses she is going to leave Gerald. Charles attends a meeting at the Urquhart's about Orin, Abby and William. Elsewhere, Avril meets up with Fernandez to discuss business and Charles is rather concerned. During the meeting at the Urquhart's, Orin tells Charles that he knows all about his fraudulent business dealings with Sahn and Charles is put in a difficult position.

Charles is concerned his father and the Hudson's might attempt a take over bid for Frere Holdings. Laura warns Ken to keep personal matters out of business. Meanwhile he is suspicious when numerous Leisurecruise shares are purchased by a mystery buyer. Leo's jealousy reaches boiling point when Polly attempts to reconcile Abby and Orin. Charles suggests Tom is delaying designs for Relton because of his feelings for Avril. James is livid when Jan wants to use some of his old designs. Tom warns Laura against Charles and he is offended by her criticism of Avril. Over dinner with Vanessa, Jack confesses his concerns about Avril and Charles; he believes Charles still loves her and cannot understand why he is treating her so badly. Later, Jack tells Avril he feels guilty because he's attracted to Vanessa. Polly tries to manipulate Gerald into taking a job with Edward and, when he refuses, he suggests that if she wants to leave, he won't stop her. Laura tries to get information about Frere Holdings from Gerald. Avril talks with Tom after seeing Vanessa with a mystery man. Unbeknown to her, Jack overhears the conversation. Leo demands that Abby make a final decision about their future.

Jan and James disagree over designs and the direction of the firm. However later they get close up and personal. Jack is annoyed with Vanessa when he learns about her secret business dealings. Leo is taken in for questioning by the police. Meanwhile Tom is suspicious when Charles manages to get hold of a copy of his father's plans for the America's Cup. When Abby reveals she's pregnant, Gerald finally sees Polly for what she truly is.

Vanessa is given a new job but Tom is not convinced she's the right person for the job. Gerald learns to cope without Polly. Avril focuses her attention on preventing Charles' take over bid. Orin confesses he framed Leo. Charles is overjoyed at the idea of becoming a grandfather. Ken informs the fraud squad of Charles' dubious activities.

Charles is raided by the fraud squad and Ken tries to hide his guilt. Meanwhile, Kate is fully aware of his wrong doings and is determined to have him exposed. The order books are full at the Mermaid Yard and Tom and Jack have trouble completing work on time. Jan is busy making the HowardBrooke fashion show a success but James is preoccupied with Jan's previous relationship with Sir Edward. Later he tells Ken that Laura wants to buy his shares in HowardBrooke. Charles threatens to implicate Avril unless she stands by him.

Avril's business meeting in Malta does not go to plan when Sabio Fernandez delays his decision and she is requested to return to the UK to give evidence in the Charles Frere fraud case. Charles is determined that Avril should be made to look responsible. Meanwhile, Tom lends Avril a shoulder to cry on. Laura bribes James in order to get hold of his HowardBrooke shares. Kate's relationship with Admiral Redfern goes from strength to strength. James reveals all to Jan about his mysterious past and financial difficulties.

Jan is livid with Ken for obtaining HowardBrooke shares by using blackmail. She is determined to stand by James, whatever the consequences. Charles' trial begins and Jack is convinced Avril harbours feelings for Charles. Meanwhile, she is still experiencing difficulty closing the Fernandez deal. Kate is concerned about the impact the new marina development will have on the Mermaid Yard and Vanessa is surprised to learn about the scheme. Jack has difficulty dealing with memories of late his wife. Ken's testimony clearly implicates Charles and Gerald of fraud.

Charles and Gerald celebrate their innocent verdict and set their sights on revenge. Jack has trouble coming to terms with his feelings for Vanessa. Kate is determined to stop the marina development. Abby tells Charles that she is not going to hand William over to the Hudson's and that she's prepared to go to court to prevent it from happening. Ken and Laura are very happy with Leisurecruise's latest vessel and they court Sabio Fernandez for a business deal.

Charles wins a boat race while Gerald tries to prevent any further decline in the price of Frere Holdings shares. Kate organises a formal protest against the marina development. However, Jack continues to contemplate selling out to Charles and comes to a decision about his life. Abby joins in but is forced to go home after she feels the baby move. James plans to develop HowardBrooke following their success of the Malta fashion show. Leo is eager to race the new powerboat. Ken is shocked when James repays his debt. However, Ken informs the press of James' past and James tries desperate measures to escape the negative coverage. Jan arrives at James' hotel, only to see him being put into an ambulance

Avril is concerned about a take over bid when she learns that Ken has sold Charles his shares. Following his overdose, James' life hangs in the balance. Later, he gets revenge on Ken. Charles formalises his plans for the marina development. Leo angers Avril when he challenges Ken to a powerboat race. Meanwhile, Avril is also livid with her father for contemplating the sale of the yard. She goes ahead with a meeting to announce a vote of no confidence in Charles. Abby is involved in a road accident and gives birth pre-maturely. Jack waits for Vanessa's reply to his marriage proposal. Charles is forced to award Avril with the trophy of the Charles Frere Cup when Leo wins the race.