Margot Zeller is a short story writer with a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue. On the eve of her estranged sister Pauline's wedding to unemployed musician/artist/depressive Malcolm at the family seaside home, Margot shows up unexpectedly to rekindle the sisterly bond and offer her own brand of support. What ensues is a nakedly honest and subversively funny look at family dynamics.

The four kids, Julian, Dick, Georgina and Anne plus the dog Tim go on a bike-trip without any grownups around, but they are soon followed by a another boy, Richard, who is pursued by kidnappers.