Set in 1970 in a commuter village near London, the novel explores the consequences of Byfield's second marriage.

It is May in the sleepy village of Lakehurst, Sussex, and Nick Lawrence has organized a Medieval Fair, complete with maypole dancing, archers, and Mr Grimm's men, a group of Morris dancers. The fair is enjoyed by all and a great success, but once the village green is deserted a horrific event takes place that shocks the whole village. A young orphan, Billy, is shot through the heart with an arrow and his body covered with the ribbons from the maypole....