The Girl in the Garden
“The Girl in the Garden” is a lyrical coming-of-age tale set in the early 1970s, told through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy at a Northumbrian prep school. Amid power cuts, class divisions, and the rituals of boarding life, the boys discover Lulu, a spirited child from a nearby children’s home, who slips secretly into their hidden world of attics, gardens, and woods. Their friendship unsettles the school’s order and exposes the gulf between privilege and deprivation. Years later, the narrator recalls those brief, dangerous weeks when innocence, loyalty, and imagination briefly bridged an unbridgeable divide.
Wishful Thinking
In “Wishful Thinking” Kit, a 12-year-old boy forms a unique bond with Sephy, a mute girl, during a school cruise in Greece. Their connection allows them to share thoughts and feelings. Following a mysterious swap of places, they navigate their extraordinary friendship and wonder about the boundaries of reality and love.
The Form Photo
During Easter 1978, sixteen-year-old Robbie escaped the confines of his boarding school, aided by his twin sister Kizzy, to pursue love without braces. Armed with a Form Photo of girls from Kizzy’s school, they embarked on a whimsical challenge to connect him with potential romances. Over twenty-eight days, emotions ran high and relationships fluctuated among church activities, tennis clubs, and a disco. Each encounter revealed the complexities of adolescence through awkward interactions, missed opportunities, and fleeting moments of intimacy, leaving indelible marks on Robbie’s journey toward maturity in understanding love and self-acceptance amidst the chaos of growing up.
Ten Days in Beadnell
Ten days in Beadnell explores a fleeting summer romance between Robbie, a young Englishman, and Hildy, a German exchange student. Their connection, marked by laughter and intimacy, unfolds as they navigate language barriers and relationships. Despite Hildy’s existing boyfriend, their bond becomes profound during their magical time together by the North Sea.