Spring 1917: the privileged world of Sorn Castle is upside down, its stately rooms full of amputees from the Western Front. While the local aristocracy makes a first attempt at nursing, a romance blossoms.

Washed up country-and-western singer John McGuire is broke and his family is emigrating. He and grandson Billy share the same dreams. They run away together in search of John's wealthy American ex-co-star Betsy Hall.

DHSS clerk Martin meets 17-year-old Harry, who is sleeping rough, and invites him to stay for the weekend. Martin begins to trust Harry. Could this be the love that they are both looking for?

In a nursing home, 'Chalky' White and Timothy Apcar compete for the privilege of shaking the Royal hand. The Daily Telegraph is the battleground, the obituary columns the challenge. As the game progresses it soon becomes clear that both are in deadly earnest.

When New York actress Sarah Weiss calls London playwright Joe, they begin a special relationship conducted through trans-Atlantic phone calls. Both have special conditions they both have to fight to overcome their separation.

In a very near-future Britain, when draconian powers have been given to the authorities under the new Secret Emergency Provisions of the Dangerous Disease Act, Dr Juliet Horwitz finds herself hooded, handcuffed and interrogated by a ruthless pair, as does scientist Alex McPherson, both of whom are the key to finding Martin Pitt, a virus carrier who has disappeared.