The Kemp family have a motley collection of interests and personal difficulties. They rent a fortified farmhouse for the summer, so that Giles can dabble in watercolours; Rob can recover from a breakdown; and Step can indulge her obsession for the Cathars, whilst the children can roam free. However, hostile villagers and a near fatal accident threaten to stretch family relationships to breaking point. They trigger a series of events, with secrets held by the farmhouse playing a part, that lead to death, devastation and terror ...