Set in Liverpool, England during the 1960s. It follows the members of two families as they struggle to cope with the social turmoil of this period. Mickey O'Rourke, his wife Mary Ann and their son Ritchie must contend with Ritchie's girlfriend Cathy, who is pregnant by another man. Nick Spencer and his wife Connie have a daughter Christine who brings an unsuitable boyfriend home. Meanwhile, Connie is becoming dependent on tranquilizers and her brother tries to borrow money from Nick.