Emma Cassidy returns to her Manchester home from her boyfriend's to find two unmarked police cars parked outside her house. Her mother, Lily and her sister, Nicola are in one and her father, Don is in the other.
Emma is bundled into the car with her father and whisked away. The family dog, Barney, has also been taken off in a police van. Emma is full of questions but her normally easy-going father is tense and unresponsive. Everything feels like a dream.
Some time later, Don tries to explain their predicament. He has unwittingly been the accountant for a major drug mogul. The police need Don to give evidence against the drug baron. This means that Emma and her family must be placed under a witness protection program which means a new home and a new name. Now if anyone asks, she is Emma Morton.
The family are put in a 'safe' hotel but they have hardly arrived before it becomes apparent the criminals have located them. Once more they are uprooted to begin a new life in Stoke-in-Trent.
Emma's boyfriend Sam is growing increasingly concerned about her disappearance. He wants to phone the police, but his father dissuades him.
Emma and Nicola are missing their dog, Barney so they persuade their liaison officer, WDC Arnott, to collect him from the kennels, but this proves to be a mistake because the kennels are being watched!
