Erin, January and Mouse live in a children's home, Whitegates.

Running away is something they know all about - their dreams of escape frequently lead them into the outside world.

But this time will be different. January has built a raft, and the trio head precariously down river, towards the Black Middens.

There they stumble across a disused factory and its strange inhabitants - ancient Grampa and a mysterious girl, Heaven Eyes.

Heaven Eyes desperately hopes that the children are her lost family - but Grampa keeps the truth of her history concealed.

While Erin befriends Heaven Eyes, dreaming of her own lost mother, and Mouse tries to belong, January's suspicions grow ...