The sisters challenge their accountant Joseph Wint over his dismissal by Ralph Saroyan but he claims that it was because he was in a position to expose Ralph as a fraud and promises to find out more. Jack's film is premiered at Montford Hall, owned by M.P. Alexander Montford and his wife Elizabeth who becomes a regular Elliott client. However Evie and Alexander get dangerously close whilst Bea and Jack argue about everything. A dispute in the work-room between head cutter Florence and seamstresses Tilly and Madge leads to Florence resigning and rushing out of the building, to be knocked down and killed by a car.

The house employs widowed tailor Charles Quance as the replacement for Florence. Ralph's fraudulent activities in his efforts to bankrupt the Elliotts and take control of the business are finally exposed, as is the fact that he killed Sir Desmond, but he flees to Germany to avoid arrest. Alexander confides in Jack that he spent the week-end with Evie. Unaware of her husband's adultery, Elizabeth invites Evie to a function, which she apprehensively attends. Bea eventually finds out from Alice about her sister's affair and the women have an angry confrontation. The affair becomes public with Evie determined to remain with Alexander. Jack and Bea, however, concede that each is more concerned with their professional life than in saving the marriage and agree to a trial separation.