Malachy and Luke are best friends in spite of the fact that they come from very different backgrounds. Both boys live in Belfast – albeit on different sides of the tracks, or rather, class barriers. Malachy is a model pupil from an intact family and has a part-time job at a leisureplex; Luke lives with his alcoholic father and sells drugs for his brother, Chris. Both friends spend a fantastic summer together – until Michelle, Malachy’s boss’s daughter, turns up. Michelle has been living in London. Both boys are smitten from the word go. Michelle’s father Crilly doesn’t have much time for his daughter, he’s much more interested in her best friend, Donna, with whom he is having a not-so-secret affair. Michelle feels neglected. The fact that the boys have the hots for her suits her just fine. And because she flirts with both of them in equal measure the two friends soon become rivals.