The school holidays get off to a bad start with rain and Belinda's father's disappearance. The news that his car went over the cliff into the surf beach is only softened slightly by the fact that the police can find no body. Belinda, her mother and friend Kate stay at the beach house of a friend to be near where the car went over. Belinda thinks her father washed up further along the coastline and perhaps could be sick or ill somewhere in the back country.

To keep from constant worry, the girls discover how unusual their three kittens are. When held, all animal speech can be understood. With the help of the kittens, the three girls spend their wet school holidays searching. Joining their quest are a helpful dog, grouchy possums and a dopey old horse. Can Belinda's father be found before it's too late?