The Hammond family attends the funeral of its patriarch Robert. Jennifer Kingsley, Robert's assistant, is summoned to the family home for the reading of the will. Robert's legacy proves to be a Pandora's box as the family's road haulage business is divided equally between his three adult sons and Jennifer, who is revealed to be his mistress and the mother of his illegitimate daughter Barbara. Eldest son Edward refuses to share the firm to which he has devoted his life, while brothers Brian (an accountant) and David (a layabout playboy) have no interest in the company. Jennifer stuns Barbara with the revelation that she's illegitimate. After learning that they haven't been left any capital, Brian's restless wife Ann encourages him to sell his shares in the firm. David informs his girlfriend Jill of his father's death and his ambivalence toward a conventional lifestyle. Robert's widow Mary avoids dealing with her late husband's betrayal. The brothers and Jennifer convene for their first director's meeting.
—Skip Eastport