Years later, Redmond is reported as lost at sea. Susanna and her daughter finally return to County Wexford. They discover that Hendrick has for some time lived in the prosperous neighbourhood of Castlebridge. Susanna, wishing to effect a reconciliation with her estranged husband, enjoins Megan-Leanne to make enquiries around the town.

They soon learn how Hendrick has long since vowed to abstain from alcohol and is now directing a hugely successful barley business. To his wife's astonishment, he is highly respected in the community and has even been elected to the prestigious office of Town Mayor!

But Hendrick's earlier sweetheart, with whom he had been intimate in their teens, believes the Mayor to be long widowed. She resolves to settle in Castlebridge and marry her former lover. Yet it's only when Megan-Leanne falls in love with Hendrick's foreman (Dubliner Robert Ferguson) that events take a nasty turn few could have predicted!