Out of work journalist Frank Scully is invited to Micklethorpe by his old friend Donald Harper. Local newspaper editor John Wesley has just died and his sister wants a temporary editor so Donald recommends Frank Scully.
Lord Wrathdale makes his attentions known, about buying the Messenger, for Fiona Lytton Neave but John Wesley Banner has left her £30,000 in his will. Mrs Banner ruffles feathers when she gives Scully the will to print in the Messenger.
Miss Banner uses her role as Chroncler to stir up trouble from the past. Using fake names she accuses Jack Jefford of killing a tramp at Hightop Farm. While he and Alan Metcalf destroyed Ted Watkins life so he could marry Irene.
Fiona is puzzled by two pictures of herself, as a child, found in the office safe of John Wesley Banner. Shocked by Banner leaving her money in his Will, she asks Lord Wrathdale to leave his wife and make a new start but he declines.
An advertiser pulls out the Messenger as part of the fall out of Fiona's unwanted inheritance. Lady Wrathdale's returns, from Italy, to stir up trouble. Befriending Sylvia she tells her that Fiona is the daughter of husband's mistress.