The residents of Dartmouth Circle always refer to their cul-de-sac as 'The Circle'. Somehow, having a private name for their road makes for a feeling of community, of belonging. But then the news breaks... ''Ned Short's sold his house at last'' Sheila announces dramatically, '' to students. What are we going to do?'' ''Do? What can they do? Nothing. Wait and see. Mary takes her to task. ''Sheila, you don't know anything about these young people yet. You've no idea if they're going to cause a nuisance, make a noise, give rowdy parties, take drugs -- they may be perfectly normal youngsters.'' ''Yes,'' agrees Sheila ominously. ''That's what I'm afraid of!'' The day comes when Mad Richmond and her student friends move in, living in the cheerfully laid-back style of most university students, and life begins to change for everyone in Dartmouth Circle, young and old alike. Are Sheila's fears justified... and is this quiet middle-class cul-de-sac quite what it seems on the surface, or has it disturbingly hidden depths?