A winning mix of world-weariness and youthful optimism, this odd-couple tale will warm your heart. Recently widowed Frank's increasingly isolated life is turned upside down when 6 year old Red moves in next door. The collision of deadpan grumpiness and energetic innocence fuels a read that moves from grief and family breakdown to hope and human connection. If you need a dose of humour and comfort in turbulent times, you can lean on this.
There was something about the picture that reminded Frank of the leaflets they were given when they first found out that Marcie was unwell. Not that those leaflets had pictures of an allosaurus blasting fire out of its arse or anything. Only that they seemed just as ludicrous. They usually had a picture of a sunset on the front, or a kindly hand holding another hand that was wrinkly and old.
One leaflet had the cheery title 'Living with your diagnosis', and just had a picture of a plate of biscuits on the front with a cup of tea next to it. This one particularly stuck in his head. The tea, unaccountably, had too much milk in it.
Sorry you're about to pop your clogs. Here's a Hobnob, and a shit brew.
