In post-World War I England, impoverished Captain Stephen Sorrell (Richard Pasco) must raise his son Kit (Paul Critchley) by himself, after his wife had walked out on him. Captain Sorrell's years of devotion and sacrifice for his son come to fruition years in the future.

Having accepted Thomas Roland's offer of a porter's position at a new hotel he is to open, Stephen Sorrell and son Kit relocate to Winstobury in August 1921. The hotel staff prepare for a Christmas opening of the Pelican Hotel and all prove to be dedicated to their jobs and their new employer. The head porter is Roland's former Sergeant Major, George Buck, a no nonsense type who works Sorrell quite hard. He also pockets most of their tips. Buck has an eye for the ladies however and it proves to be his downfall. Business is slow but newlywed movie stars give them a boost. Stephen is shocked however when someone from his past shows up unexpectedly.

When Stephen visits his son's school for sports day, he's recognized by one of the parents. His lowly position as a porter doesn't sit well with the Headmaster and Kit soon finds himself expelled. Both had hopes for Kit getting a scholarship to Cambridge so on the recommendation of a colleague, Stephen approaches the local pastor, Mr. Porteus, to act as the lad's tutor. He does so and with smashing success. For Stephen, times are also changing when Thomas Roland announces expansion plans and a promotion. Kit's mother arrives at the hotel as a guest but Stephen does nothing to encourage her as far as Kit goes.

Kit's years at Cambridge go by all too quickly and on obtaining a first, decides to pursue his studies in medicine. His mother makes contact and he is not quite sure what to do. In the end, he decides to visit her for a weekend but it doesn't go well. He has now been studying medicine for two years and all is going well. On a patient visit, he meets Mary Jewett and they soon start a relationship. He also has to help out his old university mate Maurice who has gotten himself into some difficulty. Thomas Roland announces that he is now married.

It's now 1934 and Kit is growing increasingly frustrated that he won't qualify as a surgeon for another two years. He soon finds however that he is held in high regard and he is promoted quickly. His old friend Maurice asks him to visit for a weekend and he decides subsequently to get in touch with Maurice's sister, Molly Pentreath, who is now a successful author. Kit pursues her relentlessly but she shows no interest in marrying him.

Kit is still vexed by Molly Pentreath's refusal to marry him. Stephen gives him some fatherly advice on women, particularly an independent-minded woman like Molly who has successfully established a career for herself. Disaster strikes however when Kit cuts himself while in the operating theatre and he develops a severe case of septicemia. Doctors want to remove his left arm but he flatly refuses to do so. Molly takes a greater interest and they plan to marry but, unbeknown to anyone, Stephen has taken quite ill and refuses to see a doctor until after the wedding.