After the founder of Hammond Transport dies, his widow and three sons must deal with his will that greatly affects the three brothers.

Edward makes his bid for total control of the family business.

Mrs Hammond wants to see Jennifer, but Jennifer is reluctant.

David decides whether to stay in the family business, or sell his shares to Edward.

The Hammonds are invited to a party given by an old friend of their father.

Conflicting individual interests causes family boardroom arguments.

Hammond Transport is ready to expand, until an unexpected crisis happens, then plans and people are put on hold.

The financial crisis at Hammond Transport becomes more acute, and has repercussions for relationships within the family.

Hammond Transport is threatened by a take-over bid.

The future of Hammond Transport is getting better, but problems within the family continue, and new outside alliances form.

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.