When orphaned Jake Harding is sent away from his adoptive home aged just seven, he does not understand why... Forced to make his own way in the world, Jake falls in with a gang of petty thieves, who make their living lifting valuables from those who are better off. At 16, he crosses paths with the charismatic Johnny Cooper and his nemesis George Payne, and risks making an enemy when he attracts the attention of George's beautiful daughter Rebecca. Johnny senses a kindred spirit in Jake and a talent he could put to good use. Jake cannot escape the reach of Johnny, George and their network of cronies, all of which will have far reaching consequences for Jake's future in ways he could never have imagined.