Barbara goes to London for a few weeks ' on loan' to Maria. Walter's self-proclaimed father, Eddie, now emerges as a real threat, and Maria's refusal to acknowledge the truth poses an increasing problem. Sam's friendship becomes all the more important to Barbara.

Walter and Maria have gone to America. Sam takes a dangerous Job as an undercover agent in Palestine. Barbara confronts the prospect of a lonely return to Chattisham.

Barbara and Sam have been happily married for 18 months, but memories of the past still occasionally disrupt their life together and events in the world around them are about to take a drastic turn.