The group are heading north again. Alec Campbell with his newly found enthusiasm pushes them ahead, but
Frank starts trailing a little. They come across another settlement, based at a plush former country club.Most of the inhabitants are ex-miners, and they are led by a man named Len. They are very hospitable, and have set themselves up with all of life's necessities, such as home-brew beer, utilising the club's bar facilities, and setting up indoor games such as skittles. Rules of the club include no talk of politics or religion.
The club is near to a coal mine, but there are ample
supplies on the surface, and they are reluctant to go underground to re-open the pit. They are all happy as they are, so Charles visions of federation are not particularly popular. Hubert is in his element however, and enjoys the hospitality.
Another inhabitant is Sam, an ex-drug addict. He is a reformed character now, and has a wife and child. He believes that the plague saved him, as it made him self-reliant. He thinks that the system was too soft on him before, not giving him the need to
solve his drug problems.
Charles tells Len about Frank's failing pacemaker, and they find an excuse to let the group stay for a while. Sam has the task of repairing the pit-head generator, so they can have heat and light etc, and they decide that it would be a good idea to help with this, given Alec's expertise. Alec is keen to press on, and Frank suggests that Jenny may be able to persuade him to stay, as he suspects that Alec now fancies Jen following her role in his rehabilitation.
That evening, over possibly the most inept game of bar billiards ever played, Charles suggests to Jenny that she 'chats Alec up' to persuade him to help them. He intimates that Greg and Agnes are probably an item by now, and that her feelings for Greg are not as strong as they used to be. They row and Jenny storms off.
Charles also works on Alec, badmouthing Greg, and suggesting that Jen doesn't love Greg anymore.
Alec goes up to Jen's bedroom to talk. Jen fobs him off, but realises what
has been going on and storms down to the bar to confront Charles, calling him a 'creep' and a 'Welsh bastard' to the amusement of the assembled community. Charles retorts that if she cares about Frank she should be up in bed - Alec Campbell's bed.
Next morning Charles is badly hung over after the previous night's beer, and can't remember much of what happened. Alec decides to stay, but it was not Jen who swayed him. Frank realises they're staying on his behalf. Hubert is dispatched to fetch
Janet Millen to look at Frank's condition.
Alec, Charles and Sam go to the pit head to look at the generator. Alec is optimistic they'll be able to repair it - this does not please Sam. He believes that the next generation, including his son, should find everything out for themselves, not have coal mines etc forced on them. He has removed a vital part from the generator to make it less likely to be fixed. Alec discovers the part is missing.
Sam realises that Frank has some influence over
Alec, and goes to see him. He attempts persuade him that Alec should destroy the machinery, not repair it. The discussion weakens Frank and he collapses. Alec now blames himself for Frank's poor health, believing he's pushed them too hard. Frank dies soon after.
Alec manages to get the generator going. As Sam had 'worked' on the generator, Charles asks him if he wants to travel north with them on their mission to get the Scottish power stations working again. He agrees to go, but intends to
sabotage their efforts.
With the generator working, the pit head equipment is started up, and Len decides they might as well go down and inspect the condition of the mine.
Hubert brings news back from the Millens for Jen - Agnes had been there, and she and Greg have a rendezvous planned soon - this makes Jen very excited.
