The year is 1979. Nicky has put himself forward as the Labour candidate in the general election but he faces tough opposition from Tory candidate Claudia Seabrook (Saskia Wickham) and her team, who intend Nicky's past actions to catch up with him. Nicky is living in the Willow Lane flats as is Geordie who has finally returned to Newcastle. Anthony, Tosker and Mary's son, is displaying behavioural difficulties whilst Tosker falls for a woman called Elaine...