12-year-old Ismail "Ish" Zia, a British Bangladeshi boy from Luton, grapples with profound loss, fractured friendships, and cultural identity during one transformative summer. Still reeling from his mother's recent death, Ish navigates a strained bond with his best friend Maram, while confronting the harsh realities of being a young brown man in post-9/11 Britain—where suspicion and prejudice amplify his isolation.

Family tensions escalate alongside community pressures, forcing Ish to question his place in a world that feels increasingly hostile, as grief threatens to overwhelm his young heart. Amid these challenges, he discovers unexpected allies who offer genuine understanding, helping him rebuild step by step. Through small acts of connection and resilience, Ish learns to channel his pain into personal strength, uncovering that healing emerges from vulnerability and the courage to forge new paths forward—even when surrounded by darkness.