Mavis, Mike, George and Dave are scavengers. They search English towns that were abandoned after the mysterious apocalypse that created the cannibalistic slow lumps. Food and petrol are scarce. On a desperate raid Mike and Dave discover Jen in a toilet in the ruined seaside town of Southport. Jen joins the group. She suggests the scavengers travel to an Army Camp in Northumberland that is run bt her husband. Scavengers are barred from Army Camps but their desperate existence and the prospect of rewards from the grateful husband persuade Mavis and the group to head across country. The English uplands, though, are controlled by violent bandits, and there is always the risk of an attack from the infected slow lumps. There will also be sinister surprises.