Boon

- Season 1

(1986)

Finding himself in debt after being invalided out of the fire brigade, Ken Boon turns to his old mate, Harry Crawford for advice. The result of the reunion is an advertisement in the local paper: 'ex-fireman seeks interesting work - ANYTHING LEGAL CONSIDERED' - and Boon is on his way as a freelance troubleshooter.

A disheveled Irishman, who has difficulty in remembering his name, gives Boon plenty to worry about. He's apparently lost his memory, and has no inkling of where the large bundle of cash he has on his person came from.

A large surprise awaits our hero when, asked by Arturo and Elena Sadini to recover their stolen cat, the freelance troubleshooter does so and discovers that Watson is no ordinary pet - but a lion.

Boon's fondness for gardening brings him added misfortune when, asked to chase up an unpaid hotel bill, he discovers that it's more than just a distraught widow's garden that is out of control.

It's hardly a glamorous job, especially when the child you're minding is Daniel, the difficult son of a rock star. But when Boon is attacked outside the boy's school and Ken realises the real target is Daniel, things soon hot up.

Hired to discover who is behind a protection racket gang who have smashed mirrors and crockery at Harry Crawford's hotel, Boon decides to take the battle to the enemy - with surprising results for all concerned.

A request to sail a barge from Hemel Hempstead to Birmingham appears to offer Boon an opportunity to spend an idyllic weekend with Doreen. The outcome is not what he'd planned.

When Harry suggests a job shifting antiques for a London dealer, Boon is not particularly keen. His market-garden business has finally taken root, and he has no wish to tempt providence again - but a job is a job.

Seeking further finance, Boon takes on a baby-sitting job with a difference - 'minding' a collection of antique clocks. What's more, Major Hopkinson, who owns them, appears to have some unpleasant acquaintances.

Ken is asked to find the Mahoney Brothers by a somewhat shady geezer. Unable to turn down the money, Ken takes the job despite serious misgivings from Doreen.

When Harry Crawford signs Billy 'The Kid' Buchan as the main attraction at the Fireman's Charity football match, Boon hired as Billy's 'minder', barely has time to catch his breath before the trouble starts.

'White Lighting' is off the road after its suspension is broken in an accident. Boon seeks help from a local bike dealer. A mistake. Before long he will find himself racing off on a borrowed bike - with a young Sikh girl riding pillion.

Boon's market-garden is desolated. Meanwhile, Harry goes from strength to strength. On the verge of buying a new hotel, Harry over-reaches himself - with tragic results for all concerned.