Ed Barker, 52, a reformed drunkard, resolves to live rough on the streets of central London. He becomes friendly with a disparate group of people: two old-timer rough sleepers; the Bengali owner of a cheap hotel; a young female art student; and a Romanian Big issue seller called Anna. He gets mixed up in the murder of a local woman and as a consequence suffers an attempt on his own life. With the help of the homeless community he tracks down the murder suspect to Concordia Wharf. When he is attacked again both men plunge into the Thames, and only Barker survives. Later he rescues Anna from the violent attentions of her no-good husband. Sleeping out on 'the coldest night for seven years', Barker becomes seriously ill. He finds himself trapped in a care home that resembles a prison and is ravaged by Covid 19. Recovering, he takes up the unusual occupation of hermit, first up a tree in St James's Park, then on top of a ruined minaret in Southwark. In both these locations he gives talks through a loud hailer, attracting a large following and becoming a local celebrity. His story ends in a surprising manner.