In a series of misfortunes, the Hay family loses housemaids, nurse, governess and cook all in a very short space of time, and Mr Hay suddenly finds himself out of work. No help can be found for love nor money (of which there is little to be had in any case), and the family must learn to make do for themselves. Enter Meg Parry, their young cousin from New Zealand, who is dumbstruck to find everyone so incompetent, for, of course, she has never had servants to do everything for her. From disaster comes many adventures and excitements, which makes for very surprising holidays!
