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13 Episodes 1985 - 1985
Episode 1
In the English village of Tarrant, Tom Howard wins the Commodore Cup with his boat The Flying Fish. At a celebration dinner with wife Jan, son Leo, and daughter Lynne, Tom announces that he's been made redundant as a senior aircraft designer. Furious that she wasn't told beforehand, Jan seeks a job with Ken Masters, a businessman who owns the local chandlery. Meanwhile, Leo reveals that he doesn't want to attend university and offers to get a job to help with the family finances. Lynne worries when Tom admits that he might have to sell The Flying Fish. Jan schemes with friend Polly Urquhart to find a better job for Tom. Tom decides that he wants to set a different course in life and meets Avril Rolfe while on a solitary walk. Avril's father Jack, owner of the local shipyard, learns that the bank is preparing to foreclose on his business. When Jack develops a scheme to involve the Howards his problems, Avril begs her father not to take advantage of Tom. Tom rejects Jan's job lead, but is intrigued by Jack's proposition of a partnership in the floundering shipyard.
Episode 2
Jack is certain that Tom will invest in the Mermaid boat yard. Tom meets with the bank to obtain the loan he needs to buy into a partnership with Jack. Leo gets a job, unaware of who owns the business. Ken tempts Jan with a full-time job offer. Dawn, Ken's live-in girlfriend, finds Jan too attractive for comfort, and he orders her to stop dropping by the chandlery without an invitation. Polly's socially awkward daughter Abby returns to Tarrant from a Swiss finishing school. Lynne meets Avril and learns that she's been seen in Tom's company on quiet walks. After Tom's accountant agrees with the bank, Avril suggests that he sell The Flying Fish to raise the capital he needs. Jan reacts badly to Tom's scheme. Avril phones someone from her past in an attempt to sell Tom's boat.
Episode 3
Avril gives her father good news and tries to conceal the real identity of the person purchasing Tom's boat. Jan and Tom's marriage becomes further strained when Tom tells her that it's too late to back out of his partnership with Jack. Lynne reacts emotionally to the news that Tom must sell The Flying Fish. Leo is roped by Polly into escorting Abby to a society party. Polly makes plans for an assignation at her pied-a-terre. Tom meets more employees at the shipyard, but they're not all pleased to have a new partner who isn't silent. Jack assures Bill that Tom can be manipulated. Abby relates to the Lynne the story of a girl, pregnant and alone, at boarding school. Jan accepts Ken's offer. Lynne looks for a crew job on a yacht. Tom pursues a clue to the new owner of The Flying Fish. Leo watches as a despondent Abby takes desperate action.
Episode 4
Leo's kindness comforts Abby. Polly demands to know what happened when Abby and Leo were together. Jan plans a business trip to London for Ken. Tom's continued presence at the boat yard causes concern for Bill and other workers. Tom questions Avril about the buyer of The Flying Fish. Polly admits to Jan that she doesn't like her daughter. Abby confides in Leo that she isn't sure her father is actually her father. Kate worries about the effect Jan's new job is having on her home. Lynne arouses the interest of Phil Norton, who has his own boat. Tom's design plans for a revolutionary boat ignite Jack's anger, particularly when Avril sides against him with Tom.
Episode 5
Jack and Avril clash over Tom's ideas. Ken gives Jan the full treatment. Abby seeks out Leo but finds him involved with someone else. Jan proposes something radical to Ken. Lynne accepts a sailing date with Phil. A drunken Jack meets Kate in a very unusual place. Leo and Avril develop a business arrangement, and she shares her past with him. Polly makes an attempt to relate to Abby. When Jack grouses about his business partner taking over, Kate gives him strong advice, unaware that he's referring to Tom. Nick accuses Lynne of caring more about sailing than she does people. Detecting his interest in Jan, Dawn argues with Ken, leading him to order her out. Jan makes love with Tom, but he wonders who really excites her. Kate discovers Jack's identity. Feeling unloved and unwanted, Abby makes a move.
Episode 6
Jack is thunderstruck when Kate tells him that Tom is her son-in-law. Polly lies to Leo about Abby's whereabouts. Gerald Urquhart, Polly's husband, meets with Ken to interest him in a deal with wealthy Charles Frere. Abby interviews for a job. After Gerald inadvertently tips him off, Ken sends Dawn on a fact finding mission and gloats over what he learns. Phil gets Lynne alone and makes a move on her. Ken takes great delight in sharing a secret with Jan. Jack spies on Leo visiting Avril, and then the police catch up with him. Kate agrees to a date. Jan angrily confronts Tom.
Episode 7
Polly confides in Jan about Abby. Tom storms out after Avril's confession, but later reconsiders. Lynne attempts an apology to Phil. Polly and Jan attend an art exhibition where they run into Charles Frere. Polly stuns Jan with a shocking secret. Kate phones Jack just as his resolve is weakening. Tom receives an anonymous note, while Jan gets an earful from Dawn. Avril has an unsettling encounter. Davy gives Leo a lead on Abby. Lynne harbors a grudge against Avril. Jack gets bad news from Germany. An unwelcome visitor turns up at Avril's door. Jack gives Kate grim news. Tom comforts Avril.
Episode 8
Ken conducts business with Charles Frere. Jan revels in her newfound business acumen. Tom and Avril's celebration is interrupted by an uncomfortable Leo. Kate encourages Jack to fight and come clean with Tom and Avril. Lynne defies her mother to crew in the Fastnet Race. Tom desperately needs Jan's support. Ken advises Jan about an independent future. Jan meets Charles Frere again. Leo goes to Abby. Tom's prototype is the only thing that can save the Mermaid yard, but he faces opposition from Jack. Abby confesses her secret to a sympathetic Leo. Avril's unwelcome visitor returns, and this time carries a thinly veiled threat.
Episode 9
Tom realizes that Jan or Jack must come around to save the Mermaid yard. A mysterious stranger arrives in Tarrant. Phil taunts Lynne as the Fastnet Race begins. Avril's betrayal sends Jack straight back to the pubs. Fairness to both may mean that Jan and Tom go their separate ways. Kate faces a medical emergency. Leo accompanies Abby on an unpleasant task. Fashion designer Claude Dupont intrigues Jan. Lynne and her mates run into trouble during the race. Kate encourages Jack to stay on course. Gerald instructs Polly about Frere's party, and Frere instructs Gerald to keep a very close eye on Ken. The stranger burns a photo of the past. Tom and Avril enjoy a private celebration as the prototype gets underway.
Episode 10
Tom becomes involved in an explosion near The Flying Fish. Lynne phones home with the Fastnet results. The stranger from Jack's past pursues a claim against him. Ken receives more dirt on Tom. Frere has no intention of getting into an auction with Ken over the marina development. Leo accidentally learns about Tom's actions. Jan wants to purchase Claude's designs. Jack agrees to attend counseling sessions. Kate plans a party for Lynne. Leo confronts Avril. Ken tells Jan his suspicions regarding Tom and Avril. Tom's actions affect the entire Howard family. Later, his problems multiply when the police turn up to take formal statements. Leo confides in Abby. Ken introduces Frere to Lynne at the yacht club. The identity of the stranger and his claim stuns Jack. Ken believes he has the upper hand with Frere. Frere pursues a new interest in Tarrant, and his schemes become clearer.
Episode 11
Jack learns from his solicitor that his case must go to court. Lynne wonders what she and Frere have in common. Frere discovers he has reason to get back at Tom. Kate urges Jack to tell Avril and Tom about Shellet. Leo approves of Abby's decision. Claude has a proposal for Jan, but she continues to feel loyalty to Ken. Later, Ken pays Jan a surprise visit in Cannes, and they move beyond their mutual fears. Polly opens a letter mailed to Abby. Lynne finally has to face her father. Gerald isn't as enthusiastic as Polly who wants to hire a private detective and reunite Abby with her American flame. Jack's solicitor delivers news that could completely ruin Jack and Tom.
Episode 12
Frere strengthens his hold on Lynne. Jack calls in a favor to dig deeper into Shellet's criminal past. Tom presents his prototype design for The Barracuda. After a visit from gossipy Polly, Jan asks Ken to slow things down. Polly's detective locates Abby. Avril makes the manufacturers' board sit up and take notice with her market research on the prototype. Jack is forced to come clean with Avril. Jan warns Lynne about Frere. Tom attempts to make amends to Leo. A crazed Shellet reveals part of his lurid past. Lynne ignores her mother's sound advice. Tom learns the extent of his troubles. Polly's surprise visit to Abby culminates in disaster.
Episode 13
A distraught Polly watches as Abby is taken away by ambulance. Jan shares with Tom her fears about Lynne's infatuation with Frere. Lynne hears gossip suggesting Frere was once involved with Polly. Frere cancels a date with Lynne. Polly and Leo await word on Abby, who undergoes emergency surgery. Kate refuses to hold Tom responsible for all of the recent events in the Howard family. When Abby rejects her mother, Polly blames Leo and vows to make him pay. Avril confirms for Tom that Frere is bad news. The manufacturers visit the Mermaid yard. Polly begs Gerald to talk with Abby. Lynne tells Tom that Jan hasn't been spending all of her nights at home. Avril receives a job offer. The Shellet-Rolfe court hearing gets underway. Lynne makes a shocking discovery aboard Frere's yacht, and suffers a terrible accident as she runs along the jetty.