Episode list

Cousins reunite on the Cornish coast for their annual family reunion on the eve of the Second World War. Storm clouds of war, unrequited love, sexual tension, a terrifying nighttime cliffside run and a child molester all leave their marks.

Wartime romance and affairs. Calypso marries an older man, leaving Oliver's alone, despite her promise to him. The Erstwilers are interned as aliens, and Sophy is sent to boarding school as the male cousins start their military service.

Helena travels to London for Max's debut concert where both Polly and Calypso guess their secret. Calypso sleeps with Max herself and, after witnessing him turn down the chance to work in America, urges him to be kind to Helena. Richard falls ill after a bomb drops near the house and on visiting him Helena finds Monika in charge. He calls it a straight swap. Sophy is staying with Polly and during a heavy air raid almost tells her about the death of the flasher but is distracted by fear. Later she tells Walter, on leave from the Navy. Polly herself enjoys sex with both of the twins, who are in the RAF. In 1978, as Calypso's son Hamish is driving Helena to Cornwall for Max's funeral, she reassures him that he was a wanted child.

Polly is unnaturally calm when a telegram arrives informing of Walter's death whereas Calypso breaks down. Having had sex at last with Oliver - and almost getting caught by Hector - she is now pregnant by her husband. Polly accuses her of selfishness, claiming that Walter's death has spoilt her cousin's hedonistic, promiscuous war. Helena and Max move into a house in London together but Helena is rattled when Richard comes to stay, waxing lyrical about his new life with Monika. Calypso, however, is impressed and asks him to be her child's god-parent. She has a letter from Hector, on war service in North Africa where he has met Oliver, now also an officer. Both men got on surprisingly well and Hector announces that he wants to plant trees on his return. Soon after though comes news that he is missing in action. Polly decides to give up her relationship with the twins after surviving an accident and Max gets a call to say that Monika has attempted suicide after being accused of being a spy.

Calypso receives good news about Hector, while Max is informed of his son's death. As the drama concludes in 1984, a final gathering on the chamomile lawn reveals long-kept secrets.