Mr and Mrs Bigsby of the Pig and Whistle, Stoke Newington already look after ten children. When Constable O'Dowd brings her an eleventh orphan he found on the streets, Ma Bigsby is reluctant to take her. But there's something about Elfie, it's the first day of a new century and Ma loves a mystery...

When Elfie's best friend, Joe, starts work as a clerk in her father's office, Elfie is delighted. Unfortunately, Joe's not the only new person working in the lawyer's office in Chancery Lane. Mr Trelawney's bigoted partner Mr Basildon-Blunt takes an instant dislike to Joe and worse, he seems to have some hold over Elfie's father.