When new arrivals moved into 3a Old Manor Rise, none of the residents of the tranquil village of Massenden in the Weald of Kent were particularly interested until they noticed the disreputable looking Jake Smith appeared to spend many weeks away from home at regular intervals.

Elizabeth West was not too pleased when she discovered it was to be her duty to look after the evil smelling Seth Smith as he endeavoured to settle in to the Primary School along with his younger and equally unkempt sister Iona.

Unfortunately during one of his spasmodic spells at home, Jake was soon to attract the attention of the shifty and detested Shady Sid. Jake was determined to go straight but his family were desperately hungry and Sid was tempting him. For Tom West and Samantha Smythe's ponies the consequences would be dire.