On the shoreline of Lancashire's Lune Estuary, an old tramp is befriended by a young lad who volunteers with the St John's Ambulance.
A quiet and put-upon house cleaner breaks her silence.
Follows three working-class children—Billy Walsh, Mick Mack, and tomboy Nancy Brindle—who cause a runaway coal truck accident. A crafty tramp discovers them and blackmails the children for food and shelter
