Joanna Ryan's father has gone off to war leaving her in the care of her step-mother a woman more concerned with having a good time than being any sort of parent to her. But then she finds a puppy left for dead and Joanna becomes determined to save him sharing her meagre rations with him. But in a time of war pets are only seen as an unnecessary burden and she is forced to hide her new friend Harry from her step-mother and the authorities. With bombs falling over Bristol and with the prospect of evacuation on the horizon can they stay together and keep each other safe?