Timothy Spall

In 1918, with her husband working in the War office - and subsequently leaving the family - devoted mother Annie Lee takes her step-daughters and her own children to live in the idyllic Gloucestershire countryside, the youngest being the sickly Laurie, known as Loll. Here they witness two feuding matrons, Granny Trill and Granny Wallon and shelter a young army deserter hiding in the woods until his capture. At school Loll and his classmates are terrorized by the formidable teacher Crabby until hulking Spadge Hopkins literally puts her in her place. Far more important to Loll's schooldays are the captivating Burdock sisters, Jo and Rosie, and, as he grows into adolescence and beyond, eventually leaving home to seek his fortune, he samples the delights of cider with Rosie.

Field Agent Robert Diggs walked away from his career in the FBI and accepted the position of Cultural Attaché in Sofia, Bulgaria for one reason: to escape the memories of his wife's death for which he blames himself. However, when an unknown vigilante begins killing high-priority terrorists from America's Most Wanted list, the FBI and CIA request he take on the case, and with the U.S. Ambassador's persuasion,

Richard and Kate are a divorced couple who have an amicable relationship. Richard who's about to retire learns that his company's assets have been frozen because it's under investigation and that includes the pension fund. When the owner goes out of the country, Richard decides to pursue him and Kate goes with him. When they learn the man doesn't care about the employees, they decide to get the money some other way; by stealing the diamond he gave his girlfriend. So they follow them and Kate gets close to the girlfriend.

During Harry Houdini's tour of Britain in 1926, the master escapologist enters into a passionate affair with a Scottish psychic. The psychic and her daughter attempt to con Houdini during a highly publicized séance to contact his mother whose death has haunted him for many years. However all does not go to plan...