The first episode introduces the Moss family; Dadda Moss and his four surviving children, Iris, May, Ruby and Billy. Mamma Moss has recently died and Walter, Ruby's twin brother, died during World War 1. All the family work, except Billy. Dadda works at the local dairy and is local vet. Iris runs the house and makes chocolates, May is parlourmaid to the Brazendales and Ruby, having previously worked for the Post Office, now works for Aurora Corsets. Father Melia, the local priest, announces that there will be a homecoming streetparty as all the young men who survived the war are now back home and asks the Mosses to lend the pianola so they can have some music. Unfortunately it was pawned to pay for Mamma's funeral and the family do everything they can to raise the money necessary to get it back in time. Ruby works overtime, selling corsets, and May dances at a gentleman's club in her underwear. The Brazendales, Richard and Madeleine, take an interest in May. Richard sits with May in the kitchen and tries to make friends, much to May's surprise. May supports Madeleine after she has another miscarriage. Ruby trains for a place on the British Ladies Olympic swimming team, with a former neighbour, Phyllis Cook. On the day of the trial, Ruby's family go to support her, including Billy - despite his terror of water after his ship sank during the war. Someone, however, disapproves of Billy as he receives white feathers (symbolising cowardice) in the post and gets another on the day of the trial, leading him to attempt suicide. He survives and tells his family that Phyllis was responsible, leading her and Ruby to fight in the street, and lose their places on the Olympic team. Phyllis sent them to Billy, angry that he survived the war while her dad (serving on the same ship) didn't.