Whilst Claire is shocked to find that Spencer is not a soldier but a conscientious objector David defies his mother and joins up. Book-keeper Alison is coerced into falsifying accounts for profiteers whilst her lodger, teacher Teresa, turns down the chance to go to America with former girlfriend Connie to stay and teach the illiterate Steph, whose farm is under threat for the war effort, to read. Frances' proposal to create a communal air raid shelter is almost scuppered by the officious Joyce until she decides to house it in her own basement whilst Kate receives bad ...