Jack Middleton is not an easy man to get on with. Fortunately, the one person who can is Mrs Middleton. When Jack's sister, Lilian, and her two step-children plan to spend the summer in the house next door Jack dreads it. Daphne is far too lively for his taste and Denis is not lively enough. When the trio arrive, however, they captivate the Barchester village with their wit, charm and music. In no time many of the local residents are in the palms of thier hands. Even Jack himself is ripe for conversion...