The Hunter family lives at 26 Waifer Avenue in Neasden. Twin daughters Georgia and Bessi live in the loft that they call 26A. They have two sisters, a father from Derbyshire who drinks and swears too much, and a homesick Nigerian mother. The novel spans the 80s and 90s as the twins grow into adulthood. During an extended stay in Nigeria, Georgia suffers an assault that she hides from her sister. As the girls grow into different personalities, Georgia becomes more withdrawn with her inner demons while Bessi thrives. The girls share dreams and premonitions, but the growing gulf between them may be too much for their twinness to overcome.