Jedrington's unknown past comes back to haunt him in the form of the bitter lawyer Mr Malifax Skulkingworm (Stephen Fry). Skulkingworm finds a loophole in the law and has Jedrington's shop confiscated and family thrown into the debtor's prison. With just hours before the Big Ben strikes twelve to herald in Christmas day, Jedrington must race against the clock to save his family before it is too late.