Home Fires

In the face of an impending conflict with Germany, the Great Paxford WI faces a difficult decision. When president Joyce Cameron resigns, taking most of the membership with her, Frances Barden and her supporters must recruit new helpers from unexpected places.

As Frances and Joyce battle for leadership of the new group, the others face problems of a much more personal nature. Erica and Will's relationship is tested after his cancer diagnosis, Pat is struggling with her unhappy marriage and Miriam has one last chance to stop David enlisting. Newcomer Teresa Fenchurch gets off to a bad start, but her mishap brings a dashing RAF officer to the village.

The impact of the war begins to be felt in Great Paxford as the women are forced to make sacrifices for the salvage effort. But soon matters on the personal front replace their efforts on the home front as Kate and Jack's relationship intensifies, Pat's marriage deteriorates and Claire finally plucks up the courage to ask Spencer out - unaware he is hiding a secret that could ruin their relationship before it has even started. Meanwhile, Alison resorts to desperate measures to pay a bill, and soon realises her actions will cost her much more.

Miriam fears the consequences of David learning the truth, while Steph hides a secret that threatens the farm's future. Teresa's past comes back to haunt her in the shape of an unexpected visitor who could ruin her new life. Kate and Jack make plans for the future, and Laura's jealousy complicates her relationship with Richard. Erica struggles to save Bob and Pat's marriage, and Claire is caught in the crossfire between Frances and Joyce as plans get under way to build a new air raid shelter for the village

Frances takes in an evacuee from Liverpool, who is not what she expected. Erica is forced to face the consequences of her actions, while Miriam writes letters to soldiers on the front line that cause more harm than good. Laura and Richard's secret affair is jeopardised when someone sees them together, Teresa receives devastating news, and Claire must decide whether or not to stand by Spencer

As the war in Europe draws closer to home and the nation faces its darkest hour, the members of the WI find they have their own battles to fight. Alison looks for a way out of her desperate situation, and Frances tries to help Pat while she still can. Miriam keeps an important piece of news from Bryn, and Richard and Laura realise it may not be possible to keep their affair a secret any longer.

It is June 1940, and Britain faces the threat of imminent invasion. As the Battle of Britain looms, the villagers of Great Paxford live under a cloud of fear and suspicion. Pat strikes up a friendship with a Czech soldier stationed nearby, but her joy at independence from Bob is short lived. Meanwhile, Laura is forced to face the consequences of her affair with Richard Bowers, and Spencer and Claire's relationship takes an unexpected turn. Sarah receives shocking news about Adam.

News of the Bowers' divorce hits the papers and Laura's disgrace becomes public, which has grave consequences for her friendship with Tom and the future of the surgery. With Bob injured in hospital, the attraction between Pat and Marek becomes obvious. Stan returns home on leave, but the happy reunion with Steph is soured by his worrying attitude to invasion. At the reading of the will, Frances discovers that Peter was keeping an enormous secret from her, but the surprise return of one particular villager offers her some unexpected comfort.

As the Battle of Britain intensifies, the women must do all they can to keep spirits high. At a dance organised by the Czech soldiers, Joyce gives Sarah some unwelcome advice and the stakes are raised for Pat when someone discovers her relationship with Marek. Frances learns that there is much more to Peter's affair than she realised, while Alison is forced to choose between her loyalty to Frances and her secret work for the police. Steph is increasingly concerned by Stan's behaviour on the farm, worried that it is having an unwelcome effect on Little Stan. Meanwhile, the Brindsleys receive some wonderful news.

Teresa is asked on a date, but can she throw off her old life so easily? Alison worries that her involvement with the Lyons could have dangerous consequences beyond just damaging her relationship with Frances. Pat and Marek reconcile, but when someone else sees them together, their relationship is in even more danger than before. The Brindsleys' happiness at David's return is marred when the long-term impact of his injuries becomes apparent. There is joyful news in the Campbell house which spurs Laura into action, and Joyce unexpectedly joins forces with Erica to organise a first aid meeting for the village.

At harvest time, Steph struggles to meet the quota and risks losing the farm. Sarah finds herself in a dangerous situation, while Teresa has a big decision to make. A newcomer to the village causes tension between Sarah and Frances, but there are more unexpected visitors for Joyce and the Brindsleys. When Alison discovers the real reason behind the parachute accidents, she makes the horrifying connection to the factory - but can she warn Frances before it is too late?

There is cause for joy as everyone prepares for Nick and Teresa's wedding. Faced with Marek's impending departure, Pat has a big decision to make - but Bob has one last trick up his sleeve to thwart her plans. While Frances fights to clear her name after the closure of the factory, Alison continues to wrestle with her conscience. A chance encounter with Noah on the street leads Joyce to investigate. As the allies hail victory in the Battle of Britain, there is one more twist of fate in store for the residents of Great Paxford.