Mike McGrain has taught History for eight years at St. Cambus High, and is now seeking promotion in the Guidance field. However, these plans are thwarted by Albert McNamee, the head teacher, whose bullying ways Mike abhors. This makes an enemy of McNamee who vows to destroy the ambitious young teacher's career. After a clash with new English teacher, Laura Craig, Mike resolves to become her friend ... or more. These hopes are dashed with the discovery that she is engaged to be married. However, her relationship is doomed due to intractable religious and class differences. McNamee grabs the opportunity to destroy Mike's career by suspending him for sexual misconduct. Is this the end for Mike in the teaching profession, or does the knowledge of McNamee's dark secret, held by an Assistant Head, help save the day? And can Mike and Laura overcome all difficulties to forge a closer relationship?