Errol Turner, a handsome and determined young man from Jamaica, has found the woman of his dreams in the East End of London.

Errol's only assets on arrival at Southampton in the summer of 1955 were his father's old sewing machine, a few pounds in his pocket and a touching faith in the greatness of Britain. Four years later, in love with the charismatic Rita, he is making his mark as a tailor - but in the aftermath of the race riots, racial hatred still simmers throughout London, endangering all their hopes.

Rita's best friend Maggie and her flamboyant great aunt Naomi try to ease the couple's fears. But far more sinister activities are going on under their own roof. When a woman is found murdered, vicious rumours and suspicions explode. It will take grit and cunning to bring the killer to light - and a true testing of friendship.