14-year-old Holly has written a school essay in which she accuses her stepfather of physical abuse. The social services' most experienced social worker, Lars Madsen, is handed the case. In the space of 24 hours, both Holly and her younger brother, Theo, are placed in emergency foster care. Dea and Simon, the children�s parents, are left stunned and claim that Holly is lying. Lars has only a few weeks to find out what is really going on.