Mary Hammond returns from recuperation abroad, determined to drive a wedge between Edward and Jennifer. Harry Carter, of Carter’s Express Deliveries, puts in an impressive offer for land adjoining the Hammond depot - land Edward thought was already promised to his firm.

When Mary finds a phone number in Edward’s pocket she learns an ex-girlfriend is back on the scene. It is another weapon in her war against Jennifer. The Board have to vote on a take-over bid for Carter’s firm. Edward will be against it. Or will he ?

Hammond Transport plans to take over Carter Express. However, Harry Carter knows more about the Hammond family than they think. Mary continues to manipulate the lives of her children but with Edward she may have gone too far.

The Hammond family is divided over whether to take on Carter. It's in a deadlock, unless somebody changes sides. Ann confronts Brian about his new lady friend.

Harry Carter has cunningly invited all the Hammonds around to his apartment for drinks. One by one the brothers drop out, which leaves Mary and Jennifer the only guests that turn up ! Barbara is in awe of her new art tutor Nicholas Fox and at the depot trouble is brewing between the Carter and Hammond drivers…

With strike action threatened, the Union is called in to settle the conflict with the two sets of drivers. Carter is determined that the Union won’t have a say in the way he handles the unrest, but Ted is a much more experienced negotiator. David falls for the charms of Jill’s flatmate Julie.

The drivers strike continues over the use of Harry Carter’s non-Union drivers. A full meeting of the Board members and Union representatives is made more difficult by Carter antagonising the Union. Jill and Julie call on Mary but Julie does not endear herself to the Hammond matriach. Negotiations falter and Hammond Transport is starting to flounder under the weight of the problem. Brian discovers Ann has been making secret visits to the family home.

Whilst Harry wines and dines Jennifer, Ted arranges a late night meeting with Reg Turner and Bill. Ann arrives home unexpectedly to find Pamela waiting for Brian. Tom Parker has left the country, he owes Hammond Transport a lot of money. Without it they are sunk. Jill receives some devastating news. Carter plays a masterstroke to end the stalemate.

With the lorries back on the road, concern grows about the whereabouts of Tom Parker. Barbara is finding her trip to Paris with Nicholas Fox is not all she wanted it to be. Mary invites Jill to lunch and together they conspire to get David to the alter. Brian’s discreet enquiries about Parker shows that he is in trouble, making finding him more urgent. Ted flies out to Parker’s last known whereabouts in Corfu in a desperate bid to sort out the debt. Whilst he is away Carter makes a move for the Chair in the Board meeting.

Edward has returned with grave news - Parker is going bankrupt. He also decides Carter has to go and gives him three options on which he can leave the company. But Carter wants buying out and cash is the one thing Hammonds do not have. Jill reveals the extent of her inheritance - £250,000. It occurs to Jill she might have the means to save Hammond Transport. With Pamela out of the picture, Ann and Brian start rebuilding their marriage.

The Hammond Board vote to buy out Harry Carter. He parts company on good terms with everyone - except Mary Hammond. David is not happy that Jill’s money alone is keeping the business afloat. Ann plays her final hand in her game to get husband Brian to take her back. Despite constant bating from Julie, David marries Jill.

Edward and Jennifer return from holiday, anxious to acquaint Mary with their marriage plans but find her collapsed with another heart-attack. The Hammonds prove their ability to rally round in a crisis. A good time for Riley’s wife, Gwen, to lend her assistance.

As the debate about going public begins, manoeuvres are made for control of the board. In readiness Brian meets merchant banker Martin Farrell, while Edward sounds out Riley.

The first steps are made for the Hammonds to go public. Farrell prepares the investigations, and in the process notices the company’s organisational weaknesses.

Riley and Farrell join the Hammonds’ Board. At once Brian and Riley come into conflict. But Brian’s behaviour is really a reaction of his worsening relationship with Ann.

Edward and Brian attend a lunch in the city with Paul Merroney, a merchant banker, to launch Hammonds as a public company. Edward begins to act the role but Brian looks far from the part.

Brian and Ann apart face the problems of loneliness; by contrast Martin Farrell and Jennifer enjoy dinner together. Meanwhile the Hammonds are invited to a shoot – on business.

The procedure for making Hammonds a public company get underway, and the directors attend a shooting party to meet Sir Neville Henniswode – the chairman of their merchant bank.

A local petition protesting about Hammonds lorries coincides with the firms moves to go public. But it is not only the residents the Board has to face.

David, with the company’s sponsorship, has his first experience of driving in a race. In an atmosphere of tension and excitement, Jill watches his performance.

The men want a share of the fat profit they think Hammonds will make when they go public – if not, they may strike at a vital moment. Brian is involved in a serious car accident.

Edward meets prospective business-world share holders, but his frankness causes a set back.

The company goes public – in an atmosphere of tension the share issue is placed on the market.

Edward fights for survival as Chairman and Managing Director of Hammond Transport Services Limited – and everyone’s loyalty is tested to the full.

Life has changed dramatically for the Hammond brothers. Edward is the father of an adopted son, Brian recovers from his divorce and a breakdown in Italy and David is finding his social feet.