Edward Carter is a bully of a man, who inspires fear in the hearts of all who meet him.Adam Carter is 12 years old. His father's reign of terror over his family has Adam's mother Peggy too cowed to protect her son, so Adam's only support comes in the shape of Phil Wallis, the school bus driver. Then one afternoon, Phil makes a life-changing decision – to accompany Adam along the darkening woodland lane to his house. But, in the house at the end of the track a terrible tragedy is unfolding, and it is one that will bind them together forever.