Out of prison and on the dole, Adam is determined to rekindle his relationship with his son, Francis, His efforts are hampered by his estranged partner, Laura, who is far from pleased that Adam is back on the scene. Frustrated with his life in dead-end Skelmersdale in the North West of England, Adam makes a drastic decision and takes to the road with Francis in tow, funding their adventure via a violent robbery. Adam hides the reality of his actions from Francis by spinning a childish fantasy for his son; insisting that they are pirates in search of buried treasure. But when Francis gets homesick the fantasy wears thin and Adam's love for his child drags him back to Skelmersdale to face the music.