Good brakes and swift reflexes enable Ian Craig to avoid a nasty accident when a boy dashes in front of his car. The boy, Joey Mackie, and his younger brother Stevie have been running away after raiding a nearby grocer's shop. Craig is surprised to find that Joey is a new boy at Strathaird AND a member of his own House. Term is already ten days old but Joey has not yet put in an appearance. Craig soon becomes involved with both the Mackie boys - and with their aggressive father.