WWII evacuees Carrie and Nick Willow are billeted in a small Welsh village – with the austere Mr Evans and his sister, Lou. Carrie becomes an unwilling go-between, embroiled in a family feud between Evans and his elder sister Dilys.
Carrie and Nick are sent to the countryside for the war were they're taken in by Mr Samuel Evans and his sister, Louisa.
Carrie and Nick are sent to a place deep in the forest called Druid's Bottom, where they discover new secrets.
Mr Evans' son Frederick visits, on leave from the army. The children visit Druid's Bottom, accompanied by Frederick, and Carrie learns the meaning of a message from Mrs Gotobed.
After discovering that Mr Evans has possession of the house, Carrie makes a terrible choice that will destroy everything. She and Nick are asked home by their mother.
With Auntie Lou gone and only a few hours left until she and Nick return home, Carrie discovers a new side of Mr Evans. However, she starts to think nothing bad will happen on the way home until she sees something that may or may not be her fault.