After their mother is killed in a failed street robbery, 19-year-old Billy suddenly becomes responsible for raising his younger brother Oscar. Determined not to let social services separate them, he tries to act as both brother and parent, despite his inexperience and emotional struggle.
As Billy deals with grief, financial difficulties, and outside pressure, he also becomes increasingly obsessed with finding the person responsible for his mother’s death. This fixation begins to affect his ability to care properly for Oscar.
The novel follows their attempt to stay together and survive a chaotic new reality, exploring themes of loss, responsibility, family bonds, and growing up too fast, with moments of both humour and tragedy.