Jo takes a single mother, Cherry, under her wing when the woman arrives in Mt Thomas searching for Tim Lewis, the father of her baby who disappeared shortly after she told him she was pregnant. Cherry has since been suspected of his murder and is anxious to clear her name. Tim, now going by the name Ryan, is trying to live a quiet life in Mt Thomas despite becoming a local hero after saving a drowning child. He once again mysteriously disappears shortly after his new girlfriend announces her pregnancy. The Heelers think they have a serial absconder on their hands.