It is early summer in 1953, & the friends & neighbours of Magnolia Square are looking forward to celebrating the Coronation. The war has become a memory; the future seems rosy. Kate Emmerson looks on with pride at her growing family, including Matthew, whose father was killed during the war. But Matthew`s wealthy relations have never really forgiven Kate for marrying Leon, a West Indian who works as a Thames lighterman, & when Matthew runs away from his smart boarding school in Somerset the tensions which exist between the two families come to a head. Meanwhile Zac, the wonderfully talented & handsome new signing at the local boxing club, is being eyed hopefully by all the young women of Magnolia Square. But he has eyes for only one woman
- Carrie Collins, who has teenage children of her own & whose husb&, Danny, seems more interested in the boxing club & his market stall than in her. In the weeks leading up to the Coronation festivities, drama & tragedy threaten to haunt Magnolia Square, but by the time the great day dawns, the bells ring out in celebration as the Londoners enjoy themselves as only they know how.