The Vikkers children are having a difficult time with their father in prison and their mother in a constant fog of alcohol. The welfare is sniffing around; they want to take the younger girls - 'in moral danger,' they say. The Vikkers need to disappear.
Their mother's pension will be stopped if there is no known address, but Michael and Elspeth are able to bring in money, even if not with conventional jobs. But to support the whole family with no government support? There are just too many of them. The girls have to be protected, but there is the Boys' Home where a friend lives. He says it's good.
Jeremy is twelve, with a happy-go-lucky nature. He'll be fine in a Boys' Home. None of them are so sure of Steven. He is 'soft.' He agrees though. It would not be fair on Elspeth and Michael not to agree.
Ian MacKender, manager of Penwinnard, knows that the home has gained a reputation. But he does not expect two boys to arrive in the night and ask to stay.