Set in a country village, the story follows a group of young teenagers through a summer. Told mainly through the eyes of Luke as he starts a carwash business to earn money for life's essentials - discman, playstation, etc. Additional commentary is from Bix, his next-door neighbour, who spends most of her time up a tree. Soon the shifting pattern of relationships within the group is laid bare. Luke is in a constant power struggle with his younger brother, Danny, and in the throes of helpless passion for Bix's sister, the older, cooler Liv. Liv has to face up to pregnancy but this is not the main core of the book. Relationships are tested and become more real as summer progresses.