Jack starts his new job as District Secretary but he has to contend with trouble from within his union and he meets up with his old friend Sir Horatio Manners.

Tom is released from prison, however, when a Scottish stranger comes looking for him and Jack there is going to be trouble.

Billy returns home as a qualified doctor whilst Jack has a visit from an old army pal who is in trouble.

Billy is unable to get medical work due to his socialist principles. Tom, living in a hostel, befriends Kaganovich, a Russian Jew hoping to travel to Palestine and looking for Jack. Kaganovich accuses Jack of stealing money from his late father during the Russian revolution. Jack claims he was given the money for helping the old man escape. In any case it is worthless 'Kerensky money'. Jack persuades Tom to return home.

Les Mallow wants Jack to help him expose a local scandal and help secure him a place on the council and he is prepared to use any means to secure Jack's help.

Tom meets a rich lady who is looking for her father and agrees to help. Meanwhile, Billy starts work as a doctor at the local surgery in Wellesley Street.

Sir Horatio Manners calls in his favour from Jack, who pays him back with interest.

Bill sets up another shop in Gallowshields and Jack and Dolly get ready for a night out with the Duke of Bedlington.

Dolly leaves Jack to be with Tom. Jack gets them both jobs on the duke's staff. He becomes increasingly friendly with Lady Caroline and buys land from her to spite Manners. Billy finally accepts Jack's job offer, saying that the money he earns will be split between repaying his family and Stoker's clinic.

There is an accident at the Lewis Bishop Ship Yard and one of the fitters is fatally injured. He was unfit to work so Jack tells Billy to keep quiet about it in order that the widow get compensation.

Jack is in demand to speak up for Geordie Watson, the local Labour candidate in the forthcoming election.

Union head office wants Jack to force Colfax, the local employer, to allow the union into his factory, but Jack has split loyalties. Bella is taken ill.

Jack steps down as secretary for the union and everybody is upset about the potential demolition of the country house, Mandrake Place.