The inhabitants of quiet, tree-lined Mulberry Road take a keen interest in the comings and goings of their neighbours. When number fifteen comes onto the market they are naturally intrigued when a good-looking man seems to take an interest in the property, and they hope for a pleasant, quiet family, one which will fit in nicely. But they are to be disappointed. What they are getting is a philanthropic scheme to offer a half-way house for young offenders - or, as some of the locals prefer to call them, 'a gang of ex-convicts'. Feelings run high. Opinions are divided - some fearing that they will be murdered in their beds, others wanting to welcome these youths into their community. Brian, who is to be the warden of this house, faces an uphill struggle to persuade his new neighbours to accept the scheme. He wants to be a part of the community - in particular, he wants to get to know Karen, the young single mother struggling to bring up her two young children on her own. But however friendly Karen may be, there are others who are determined to scupper the scheme at all costs...