The winter might be over but their hardship is not.

The cotton crisis continues and the towns people are out of work and living on relief. The mayor of Blackburn realises that employment must be found or there is a danger of disturbances and rioting as anger and frustration grows. Classes are formed for the men to teach them to read and write, and for the women a sewing class is set up to teach basic skills and to provide cheap clothing for the townsfolk.

Sally, Ruth and Caroline continue in their individual struggles to keep their families afloat, navigating hard work, romance and heartbreak.

Bessie and Joshua Anderton are new to Blackburn. Joshua is a former cotton plantation slave and Bessie is a dressmaker. Bessie has to tread a careful path between the gentry who are supporting the workers with their charity and the workers who, although grateful for the help, would much rather be self-reliant.