In the 1830's in northern England, Riah Millican, a widow with three children, takes a job as housekeeper to a reclusive former teacher, Percival Miller. Miller makes Riah the gift of a black velvet gown, and even educates her children. But when Riah discovers the reason behind Miller's gifts, she vows to leave his house, but Miller has a hold on her, even after his death, when he leaves his house to her on the condition that she never marry. Riah's daughter, Biddy, grows up and becomes a laundress in a large house where her education keeps her from fitting in and makes her a target. But it also catches the eye of a son of the house, and with Miller's legacies, Biddy may yet find her way to happiness.

Simon Leighton is sent to an assessment centre because he is unable to cope with school due to problems in his life – his mother is dead and his father cannot overcome his grief. However Simon is determined to leave the centre to live with his father.

Set in the bleak backdrop of Edinburgh a low level drug dealer strives for making a living and surviving the natural elements of such an environment day to day.

Ruth Ellis lives with her ten-year old son Andy next to a night club. One night she meets David Blakely, and they start a love affair. However, for David with his upper-class background, it is impossible to uphold the relationship. He breaks up with her, something which makes Ellis, obsessed by him, very upset.

A man taking the train to work one morning is overcome by melancholy memories and morbid fantasies.

What happens to provincial journalists when there's nothing in the news and they have a paper to fill?

Comedy in which a young Geordie, Peter, is put under pressure by his fiancee who wants him to name the wedding day. Enough pressure to make him consider jumping off the Tyne Bridge. Peter tells the story to a lass he meets at a club.