Three teenagers discover a mysterious set of owl and flower-patterned dinner plates in the attic and the magical ancient legend of the "Mabinogion" comes to life once again in their Welsh valley.

Recently bereaved teenager Alison goes with her step brother to stay for the summer in the quiet retreat of a relatives house in the Welsh Valleys. After hearing a scratching noise coming from the roof of the house, Alison discovers some old dinner plates in the attic which have a flowered owl pattern. What is the connection between this, the loony gardener, the angry housekeeper and the legend of the old village magician, who made a wife out of flowers and later turned into an owl when she betrayed him?—anon