The city is midway through a major re-development program, demolishing these schemes and re-housing the tenants in new modern estates.

Social problems are exacerbated by the binmen going on strike creating additional health hazards and a breeding ground for rats.

The main character, James, is a 12-year-old boy, growing up in one of these housing schemes that is gradually emptying as tenants are re-housed in newer developments.

Meanwhile all that those that remain can do is patiently wait to be re-housed like James and his family, (two sisters, one older, one younger, his mum and heavy-drinking father).

James's friend Ryan Quinn is being forced to put on his gum boots to go to visit his father who is in prison.

Standing in front of a kitchen window in a half-built house, he wonders in awe at the view: an expansive field of wheat, blowing in the wind and reaching to the horizon.

Though the British Army eventually arrive to clean all the rubbish from the neighbourhood, James realises that his situation will most likely never change.

After failing to recover Margaret Anne's glasses from the canal, he sees her being abused once again with the local gang taking turns to assault her.