Tyso, a young Romany lad, is on the run in the Fen country. Many of the people he meets treat him as an outcast or even a criminal because of his dark hair and gypsy looks. His great skill is as a barefist fighter, which lands him in all sorts of trouble. He is determined to rebuild a vardo – a real Romany caravan – and to fulfil a promise to return to rescue his young brother and sister from a cruel uncle and aunt. But other problems confront Tyso and it seems that he will never be able to keep his promise.

This is a story told with sensitivity and understanding of the problems faced by teenage runaways, and in particular the special pressures faced by many travelling people who don't fit in to a 'normal' way of life. The author uses a number of authentic Romany words that are fully explained.

Sally Robey was formerly Head of English at Cambridge College of Further Education, before giving up her job to concentrate on, among other things, her writing. She has spent a great deal of time meeting and talking to real travelling people throughout East Anglia and has ensured that her books accurately reflect their way of life. Her experience as a teacher enables her to write with clear insight into the problems and pressures of adolescence.