11 year-old Howard Grainger is living with his mum through the Second World War Blitz in London. How's dad is away fighting the war, and How has grown used to the nightly bombing raids - he just gets on with his life, ducking and diving with his best friend, Clifford. But then How's mum sends him to live with his aunt and uncle in Lincolnshire, and his life changes more than he could have imagined. The country is not quite as gentle and dull as he thought, and How becomes embroiled in another war here - a war of predjudice.

Meanwhile, he looks forward to his mum's weekly letters - until they stop coming. How is worried sick, and then he does the bravest, most foolish thing he's ever done. He runs away, back to London, to find her.