Two young men growing up with all the problems that young men face. Awkwardness with girls, yet longing for some form of intimate, even sexual contact. Trying to find their place in their family, and with their peers. Nothing remarkable about that except these two young men, both called John, lived centuries apart. One a blacksmith's son around the time of The English Civil War and the other a publican's son shortly after the start of the millennium. Both lived in turbulent times, and their feelings were stirred by stories regaled by visitors to the forge or the pub. Finally, both leave the family home, angry for reasons they couldn't really explain, looking for something but not knowing what that was. They are both caught up in the violence, one as a soldier fighting for Cromwell, the other as a policeman in the riots of 2011. Violence overwhelms them and their lives become a spiral of despair and their only hope seems to be through the love of a woman. But that is not a certainty. History seems to be repeating itself and old certainties disappear. Smile at the mistakes, sadly reflect on the horrors and laugh at the tales. Most of all enjoy the journey.