Two million pounds! A colossal lottery win in 1965. But there's a profound problem for Jack Pulborough and his wife Alice: he is a young and very conscientious English church minister. Expert advice is needed. Alice's brother Pal Shripney is a financier, but a very shy man and happiest when he can stand back from outside responsibilities. However he loyally comes to help, with the result that he and other members of the family find themselves experiencing hard decisions and dilemmas in the morally turbulent 1960s. There's church controversy and comedy; adventure in troubled Thailand and serenity in idyllic Guernsey; romance and scandal in an ancient cathedral close; marriage and fatherhood; tragedy and handicap, with compensating love and care. Plus a variety of railway excursions. All because of that lucky ticket.