It is July 1872, and in the ‘Five Towns’ of the Staffordshire Potteries, Edwin Clayhanger is attending school for the last time. Although his youthful ambition is to become an architect, expectation weighs heavily upon his shoulders; it is anticipated that Edwin will join the family’s printing business, lovingly built up from scratch by his father, Darius. Edwin, however, is dreaming of a very different kind of future: his youthful ambition is to become an architect.
Edwin becomes a hero - he wins his fathers admiration, but is no nearer to the realisation of his own ambitions to become an architect.
Edwin has written to his father reminding him that he wants to train as an architect. Darius is curious, while Edwin realises that a summons from his aunt means the battle has come to a head...
While Edwin continues to work as an assistant at his father's printing works, eyebrows are raised when Hilda Lessways becomes the first woman in the Five Towns to learn shorthand - in order to work for George Cannon.
Hilda receives a telegram from London informing her that her mother is ill. Instead of leaving at once, she continues to work on the first edition of Cannon's newspaper.
Hilda's feeling of responsibility for her mother's death has led her to a nervous breakdown. While still recovering in Miss Gailey's boarding house, she hears that Cannon is insisting on visiting her.
Edwin spends an evening with the Orgreaves. He takes an instant dislike to Hilda, but when he leaves to take another look at the new Clayhanger house, she secretly follows him...
After their day together at the Sunday School Centenary celebrations, Hilda and Edwin have become fascinated with each other. Edwin is both excited and unnerved at the prospect of their becoming neighbours.
Miss Gailey tells Hilda that Cannon has taken a boarding house in Brighton, and expects them all to go and live there.
Hilda has accepted George's marriage proposal, but is nervous of breaking the news to Miss Gailey, who is now a semi-permanent invalid.
Hilda's secret marriage to George has ended disastrously with the discovery that it was bigamous. Deserted by him, she returns to Bursley to stay with the Orgreaves. On the night of her arrival there is a visitor - Edwin.
Hilda and Edwin declare their love for each other. But when she is forced to return to Brighton, Hilda has still not found the courage to tell Edwin about her past.
Edwin knows nothing of the role that Mr Shushions played in Darius's life, and is puzzled when Darius returns from his funeral in a state of shock. But subsequent events force new responsibilities on Edwin...
Edwin has been told that his father had no more than two years to live. More than one of those years has now passed - and Edwin has assumed complete control of the family business.
Darius Clayhanger is close to death and lets it be known that Edwin will inherit the whole of his business. As one chapter closes in Edwin's life, another opens. He meets Hilda's son.
Hilda's son arrives to stay with the Orgreaves. Janet tells Edwin that Hilda is now a widow.... and all his old feelings for Hilda are re-awakened.
Edwin has visited Hilda in Brighton, and has been told that he husband is, in fact, still alive.
Hilda has told Edwin that she was never married to Cannon. Ignoring the hostility of Five Towns 'society', Edwin asks her to marry him.
Edwin and Hilda have finally given a formal 'At Home' to celebrate their marriage - and Bursley seems to have accepted them. Hilda feels safe and financially secure, but Edwin is already making new plans for the business....
Hilda and Edwin have quarrelled about Edwin's plans to build a new printing works - he has not yet told her that he already made an offer for the land.
Hilda is continuing to oppose Edwin's plans to extend the printing business.
Hilda once again sees the man she thought she loved, but they cannot speak. George Cannon is a prisoner in Dartmoor.
After their brief glimpse of George Cannon in Dartmoor prison, Edwin and Hilda return to the Five Towns. Not long after, George Cannon is released....
Edwin is furious when Hilda insists on taking her son to London to visit an eye specialist. All the Clayhanger servants have left, and Edwin is forced to stay with Auntie Hamps.
Hilda remains in London while Edwin stays on with Auntie Hamps, who is seriously ill. To add to Edwin's gloom, Ingpen has had a serious accident at the Benbow works and is not expected to live.
Hilda is determined that she and Edwin should live in the country. And unbeknown to Edwin, she has already decided on their future home....