17-year-old Billy Weaver travels from London to Bath, by himself, on a work matter when he stops for the night at a quaint bed-and-breakfast. The landlady is a kind older woman who Billy comes to suspect is a little senile, as she offers him tea and prattles on in a strange, slightly confused manner. As the night draws on, the landlady's kindness and the seeming lack of other people in the house is shown to be hiding a terrible secret.