Micka - Frances Kay

Micka wants a pup for his tenth birthday. There's not much chance he'll get it, though: there's no money to spare; his dad's not around; his mam's got too much else to worry about; and his older brothers have - and cause - troubles of their own.

For Laurie, money's no object, but his parents are on the verge of separating and are much more interested in scoring points than caring for their son.

Ignored, forgotten or abused by the very people who should nurture them, Micka and Laurie retreat into their own mixed-up, daydream worlds. When these two boys meet, these imaginary worlds collide, and the line between make-believe and real becomes increasingly blurred.

The trouble is, once you cross that line, there's no going back. Ever.