Young Tom Long, quarantined away from
his sick brother, goes to live for the summer with his Aunt
Gwen and Uncle Alan. Though good intentioned, Tom's Aunt and
Uncle have little experience in dealing with a growing boy
and Tom finds himself dreading the coming months in their
care. The apartment, in a big rambling house, is grim and
dull and to make matters worth, there's no garden in which
to play But something incredible happens to change Tom's summer
and his life.
One night, as Tom lies in bed, the old grandfather clock in
the downstairs hall strikes - thirteen! Tom investigates this
mysterious occurrence and discovers that a magical transformation
has taken place. Outside, where during the day there is nothing
but a yard with old cars and rubbish, is now a spacious, inviting,
fantastic garden.
Each night Tom explores the garden and its mysteries. And
nothing is more mysterious than Hatty, the young girl Tom
meets there. Tom and Hatty form an intense bond, but ultimately,
although Tom remains the same age in the garden, Hatty grows
older, and more distant from Tom.
Tom's desperate attempts to keep his relationship with Hatty
cause him to becomes trapped in the past. After a series of
adventures, Tom returns to the present. But there is one more
discovery left to make - the identity of the old woman who
lives in the apartment above his Uncle and Aunt.
