Phoebe, an autistic nine-year-old girl, is taken into police protection after a chance comment to one of her teachers alerts the authorities that all might not be what it seems in her comfortable, middle-class home. Experienced foster carer Rosie Lewis accepts the youngster as an emergency placement knowing that her autism will represent a challenge - not only for her but also for the rest of the family. But after several shocking incidents of self-harming, pica and threats to kill, it soon becomes apparent that Phoebe's autism may be the least of her problems.