When she was twelve years old, Opal Jones escaped her mothers endless drinking. Now, returning to their small Leeds cottage after her mums death, Opal feels like shes gone back in time. Nosey Mrs. Pickess is still polishing her windows to a sparkle. Fishbo, Opals ancient music teacher, still plays trumpet with his band. And much to Opals delight, her favorite neighbor, Margaret Reid, still keeps an eye on things from the walk in front of her house.

But a tragedy has struck Mote Street. Margarets grandson, Craig, disappeared some ten years ago, and every day hes not found, shame and sorrow settle deeper into the neighborhoods forgotten corners. As the door she closed on her own dark past begins to open, Opal uncovers more secrets than she can bear about the people who were once her friends.