Joe Summers is quite a mixed-up young boy. Born during the Second World War, the boy knows all about going without many things. Joe's father, Mark, who he once adored, has an accident that leaves him badly injured and much changed and becomes a no-good drunkard. Unfortunately, Joe also gets mixed up with an older boy who comes from a bad family.His mother, Bethany, does her best to take care of the boy, but Joe Summers wants to go his own way. He does eventually see the error of his ways, but not before he almost ruins his life.