Love Child

It's 1969. Defiant country girl, Viv Maguire, wakes to find she's been drugged by her parents and sent to the city to hide her pregnancy at Stanton house - a home for unwed mothers in Sydney's Kings Cross. On the same day, Joan Miller, 28, steps off the plane from London and commences work as a midwife at the adjoining hospital - Kings Cross General. Joan is nursing a broken heart and hiding a few secrets of her own. When Joan is called to assess Vic's pregnancy she comes into conflict with the Head of the Obstetrics, Dr. Patrick McNaughton. He's more than a little intrigued by Joan, and attracted. Meanwhile, Viv encounters Shirley, a mystery woman who has admitted herself to Stanton House. She's older than the other Stanton House girls and has a lover in Kings Cross.

Astronauts are about to walk on the moon and Viv is determined to see this grand event on television. She steals a portable TV and is arrested. Joan uses her acquaintance with an old flame, Phillip (criminal lawyer), to secure Viv's release. Phillip wants to restart his relationship with Joan but her head has been turned by Dr. Patrick McNaughton. When Shirley's in-laws arrive unexpectedly, the need to hide her illicit pregnancy leads her to wear a too-small corset to a lunch meeting. In doing so she faints, taking a fall that sees her end up in hospital. Shirley's affair with Johnny - her lover - is almost exposed. Annie returns to her home in Newcastle after giving her baby up for adoption but cannot fit back into the world she left behind. Yearning for her lost child, Annie turns her back on her family and sets out to get her baby back as Neil Armstrong walks on the moon. And anything seems possible.

When Annie's denied a straightforward revocation of her adoption by the Hospital's Social Worker, Joan becomes committed to see Annie's baby returned to her - risking her job in looking for evidence of the baby's whereabouts. Sidelined, Joan is forced to rally the Stanton House girls to help Annie in her quest to get her baby back and prove she is a fit mother. Meanwhile, Joan's actions bring the hospital Matron and Dr. McNaughton - co-conspirators in the baby's private adoption - into conflict. Patricia's society doyenne mother, Belinda, pays an unexpected visit and is dismayed by the conditions at Stanton House. She gives Patricia the opportunity to leave Stanton House but her offer has a hidden catch. Just as it seems that Annie may have her child returned to her, Matron drops a bombshell.

Viv's enlisted older brother Bernie arrives in Kings cross on R&R leave from Vietnam. After Viv tracks him down with Joan's help, Bernie is shocked to find his little sister pregnant. When he leans that Viv is being pressured to give up her baby for adoption he offers her an escape - he offers to go awol and take Viv with him. Meanwhile, as the girls plan a clandestine cocktail part, Martha's former employer, Mr. Wilder, tracks her down and threatens to charge her with theft. His relentless pursuit of Martha leads the girls and Matron to learn that Martha's baby is the product of her rape by...

When Johnny invited Shirley to the musical Hair, Shirley dares to believe that she can begin a new life with him. But her dream is shattered when she discovers Johnny's been in a violent fight with the police at an anti-war rally. Shirley goes into premature labour as Johnny is torn away from her and arrested. Matron learns for the first time that Shirley has been maintaining a clandestine affair with Johnny. The friendship between the two women is badly strained. Martha is surprised to find that Matron has arranged a job for her in Hospital administration leading her to find a clue about her own lost family. Infuriated by the arrogant young Resident of the Hospital, Joan is forced into action, determined to complete her medical degree.

All of Shirley's plans unravel when she receives news that her husband, Colin, has been injured in Vietnam and has been flown home. With a sick, premature baby in hospital, Shirley has to face up to her past as Johnny desperately tries to prove himself as a father, doing all he can for his baby son and Shirley. Viv urges Martha to visit the address in her welfare file that appears to be the last contact for her lost family. Asking Patricia to provide cover, they make a half-day trip to Parramatta to a house that awakens old memories. Annie's success as a performer at the Blue Moon attracts the attention of Rick Allen, who wants to recruit her as his back-up singer. But as Annie starts taking steps forward, Joan becomes convinced that the Matron lied and Annie's baby is still alive.

On the day of the Melbourne Cup, Viv trails Matron on one of her secretive excursions and finds that she is involved with a young SP bookie, Chris. Viv accepts a role from Chris to take bets from the hospital staff. But when Chris is arrested by the police and the race favourite is scratched, Viv has a lot of money to return. Pressure building, Viv turns to Matron, the only person who can help. In doing so, she uncovers a secret Matron has kept for years - Chris is her son. Martha's anxiety increases as her delivery approaches. She's fearful of experiencing the trauma Annie went through. Martha begs to bend the rules so she can see her child before giving it up for adoption. Shirley and Johnny are given debilitating news that their baby Ben will require a major operation.

Patricia's resolve to keep her baby is strained when her delivery day is imminent and there's still no sign of her fiancé Robert. (Martha and Viv have come to believe that the elusive Robert may not even exist). Martha offers Patricia a Plan B: come and live with her and they can raise the child together. It's a huge relief for Patricia. As the girls plan for life after Stanton House, everyone's stunned when Robert suddenly arrives. But Patricia's joy turns to anger when he admits the reason for his long absence. With Johnny on the run, Shirley moves in with her husband, Colin, to ensure her baby can have the operation he needs. Meanwhile, Annie's outrage about the fact that McNaughton adopted her baby is deepened when she realizes that is may be very difficult to get the baby back. Joan and Phillip have collected evidence for a legal challenge but it's apparent that the process may take years. Feeling she has no alternative, Annie kidnaps her baby from the McNaughton's house. A frantic search by the McNaughton's and Joan sees loyalties questioned and friendships pushed to the brink.