Dawn, and smoke rises from another bombed out night in London. Emma washes out the insides of a Women's Voluntary Service van with her fellow member, Evelyn. Tough, working class Evelyn remarks that in the weeks that Emma's been volunteering, she's really proved her grit. Pleased, exhausted and covered in soot, she returns to begin work all over again at the Halcyon.

The Halcyon celebrates its 50th anniversary. Lucian struggles to keep things in order as the pressure mounts. Garland and Lady Hamilton find a cause over which they can unite - and Emma must finally make a choice.