Recently widowed, Mrs Lirriper devotes her energies to attending to the needs of her assorted lodgers. But when a newborn child is abandoned to her care, her responsibilities extend to new levels. Enlisting long-time lodger, the Major, into the role of 'guardian', the two develop an increasing affection for the boy. In an effort to entertain the growing lad, they relate the stories of their fellow-lodgers, little knowing that they are about to embark on their own real-life tale of impending death, guilty secrets and mysterious legacies.