Amongst the Desperation and fear growing in a crime ridden sink estate in northern England, one man becomes involved into saving what little decency and community life exists. It's the winter of 1974 power cuts and coal strikes cripple the country, which is reduced to a 3 day working week alongside Police 'centralisation'. Everything it seems is falling apart along with the community's only hope and protector, the nearly retired Detective Sergeant Barry Harrigan.

Tide of Life follows the fortunes of young housekeeper, Emily Kennedy, as she learns about relationships with three very different men...