The day the First World War broke out Alfie Summerfield's father promised he wouldn't go away to fight
- but he broke that promise the following day Four years later Alfie doesn't know where his father might be other than that he's away on a special secret mission Then while shining shoes at King's Cross Station Alfie unexpectedly sees his father's name
- on a sheaf of papers belonging to a military doctor Bewildered & confused Alfie realises his father is in a hospital close by
- a hospital treating soldiers with an unusual condition Alfie is determined to rescue his father from this strange unnerving place