The Clock family (tiny human-like "Borrowers") live under the floorboards at the Driver–Hellman house, suspected but so far uncaught by the Matriarch, Mrs Driver (Victoria Wood). Daughter Arrietty Clock (Aisling Loftus) is seen by her grandson, James Millman (Charlie Hiscock) and they become friends, but his grandmother's suspicions are heightened. Lifting a floorboard, she finds missing items, including furniture from James' dead mother's dollhouse.