Clayhanger

Edwin becomes a hero - he wins his fathers admiration, but is no nearer to the realisation of his own ambitions to become an architect.

Edwin has written to his father reminding him that he wants to train as an architect. Darius is curious, while Edwin realises that a summons from his aunt means the battle has come to a head...

While Edwin continues to work as an assistant at his father's printing works, eyebrows are raised when Hilda Lessways becomes the first woman in the Five Towns to learn shorthand - in order to work for George Cannon.

Hilda receives a telegram from London informing her that her mother is ill. Instead of leaving at once, she continues to work on the first edition of Cannon's newspaper.

Hilda's feeling of responsibility for her mother's death has led her to a nervous breakdown. While still recovering in Miss Gailey's boarding house, she hears that Cannon is insisting on visiting her.

Edwin spends an evening with the Orgreaves. He takes an instant dislike to Hilda, but when he leaves to take another look at the new Clayhanger house, she secretly follows him...

After their day together at the Sunday School Centenary celebrations, Hilda and Edwin have become fascinated with each other. Edwin is both excited and unnerved at the prospect of their becoming neighbours.

Miss Gailey tells Hilda that Cannon has taken a boarding house in Brighton, and expects them all to go and live there.

Hilda has accepted George's proposal, but she's nervous of breaking the news to Miss Gailey, who is now a semi-permanent invalid.

Hilda's secret marriage to George has ended disastrously with the discovery that it was bigamous. Deserted by him, she returns to Bursley to stay with the Orgreaves. On the night of her arrival, there is a visitor — Edwin.