When naive Mike Carpenter decides to leave the bosom of his South Yorkshire family and head for the thrills of the big city of Manchester, he has no idea of the exciting chain of events that will follow - or their shocking effects. After establishing himself at work and settling into a pokey apartment, a chance meeting with Sandy Gibson seems to complete his happiness. They hurriedly set up home and the relationship flourishes - until the spectre of redundancy looms and Mike's bank account dwindles. Together Mike and Sandy hatch an intriguing get-rich-quick plan but a double sting in the tail leaves a trail of devastation and heartbreak.