When the Second World War breaks out, young Willie Beech is evacuated to the countryside.
 
A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of kind old Tom Oakley.
 
But then his cruel mother summons him back to war-torn London . . . Will he ever see Mister Tom again?
 
'Everyone's idea of a smash-hit first novel: full-blown characters to love and hate, moments of grief and joy, and a marvellous story that knows just how to grab the emotions' Guardian