The first of four Alan Plater plays concerns two teachers, Judy Threadgold and Neville Keaton, and their hopes for a peaceful half-term break. But they become involved with missing persons, crocodiles, strange policeman, yellow beetles, anonymous threats, and with each other. And they don't even like each other.

Teachers Judy Threadgold and Neville Keaton encounter a vicarage without a vicar, a sinister motor car, and the strange organization known as Disappearances Anonymous. Is it really connected with DH Lawrence lectures? And was Neville's mother right when she said: 'Bruises and blood... that's natures way of curing things...'

In this final episode Sergeant Tomlin pursues his quest for flashers, safe blowers and vagabonds, Judy has a pile of essays to mark and Neville wonders if there really is a Mr X.