Summer, 1941

After Jimmy's shocking departure, Nellie Castle is feeling bereft. And with Rodney being elusive, she's determined to do all she can to help her youngest son Bert get back on his feet following the terrible injuries he sustained in the bombing.

Plagued by guilt and nightmares, the last thing Bert wants is to return to the café - being there only makes his guilt over Gladys's death worse. His relationship with nurse Vi is helping somewhat, but when he receives a formal summons to the trial of the woman who tried to kill him, he is plunged back into the depths of despair. Giving evidence could condemn her to death, and with the weight of one woman's death already on his conscience, he's not sure he can bring himself to do it.

As the trial progresses, shocking truths are revealed. Is everything he's believed his whole life a lie? And with his family and relationship in tatters, Bert finds solace with the last person he would have expected...