When Joseph Blake, who once did prison time, and his daughter, Anna, move to Sycamore Street, their neighbors on the otherwise "peaceful" street converge to chase them out. But the Blakes don't back down.
Miss Astley is finding it difficult to make both ends meet on a fixed income. The usual methods of raising extra capital seem to get her nowhere. A get-rich-quick advertisement catches her eye - but will it solve her problem?
The world stands on the brink as a runaway freighter rocket, containing high explosives, is due to detonate over London at midnight on New Year's Eve 1999.
To have a reasonably good job, a loving wife, children and a decent place to live - it doesn't seem a great deal to ask in our civilised 20th Century - but to Joe Cartey and Edna this is still a distant dream.