Richie lives in a mining village, is disturbed by the mysterious absence of Cis, his sister-mother, and is being teased mercilessly by his friend Trevor about whether or not his Christmas present will be new or second-hand. Trevor, the elder of the two, knows that poor people get little that is sparkling new, that adults lie and that death is ever present. However, despite Richie’s fears, life triumphs, illuminating the winter darkness with joy.