In the springtime, John's father dies suddenly and unexpectedly. John finds some solace in keeping busy and in doing his best to help his mum. The funeral and cremation are explained in detail, and John's cousins try to help. He seems to be coping. Then one day he becomes viciously angry and throws bricks at the greenhouse. An understanding neighbour helps him put it right and tells him of his own anger when his father left home. Weeks pass. John then has a panic attack and is convinced that something has happened to his mother. He finds her quite safe, but decides he must watch over her. In order to do this, he mitches school and tells lies, and when a teacher finds him out, he is relieved. The teacher handles the situation with sensitivity, and once more, John and his mum seem to be coping. Christmas is grim, made a bit easier when a new friend of theirs and his little girl appear in the evening. Trevor is newly-widowed too, and Catherine misses her mum very much. John's last upheaval - in the summer - is to face his mum's remarriage to Trevor. As he likes Trevor and Catherine, he accepts the situation, but finds moving house hard. His aunt presents him with a book she has made for him, with family photographs and a family tree. She suggests that he carry on the book with his new family. There are nuances of new life coming from old, joy coming from sadness, and courage conquering pain.