The Howell brothers hail from a poor and deprived family background in Porthmadog in North Wales where positive influences try to steer them away from criminality. Despite this and the merits of involvement in sport with its discipline and team spirit the boys struggle to stay on the right side of the law. Events in the mountains of Snowdonia necessitate cooperation between the authorities in North Wales and Staffordshire to manage the risk to the public from the Howell brothers and the interests of justice. Rory Scott, newly married to Emma is the probation officer with supervisory responsibility as the brother's cases are considered for transfer to England. Further events however lead to serious and unexpected consequences. Emma and Rory have to balance their own ambitions and aspirations with the demands of their working lives. They look to new opportunities to find contentment and the security they seek for their future. Will the Howell brothers manage to succeed against the odds and where will Emma and Rory look towards the potential of a new life?