Member Review

Having read The Final Year and The First Year this was a must when it came up on NetGalley.
And Wow! He does it again. You might need tissues.
At the beginning it is August, Alfie Piper is due to start Y8. He doesn't really want to though.
He is at his Dad's with Dad, his wife Sophie and 4 week old baby Alice, who alfie thinks is beautiful.

But he's at Dad's because he lives here now. Because the day before Alice was born his Mum died. She was supposed to be coming home, she was supposed to have months but her body couldn't take it, she died and only He was with her. He had been part of Alfie's life since Alfie was 3. Alfie hated Him and He hated Alfie. Alfie knew his Grandma didn't like Him either and nor did his Aunt Lisa. But he didn't know why and he hasn't seen them either. So now he lives with Dad and Sophie who he likes.

Jump to the following July - a tough year at school where his friends didn't know what to say - and now it's the holidays. 6 Weeks.
Out on his bike Alfie realises something is wrong with the peddle. And he's near His house - Mum's house - he hasn't been there since the funeral.
He is in the driveway. He speaks to Alfie. Alfie loses his composure at the sight of the house, at the sight of Him and screams. He catches Alfie and sits him on the kerb. He talks gently. Alfie runs away without his bike.
But he has to go back - he likes that bike. He is in the drive again. He's fixed the bike. He says He is doing the kitchen just the way she wanted. Alfie just takes the bike and leaves
A week away with Dad, Sophie and Alice gives them lots of time for talk, for questions Alfie had never asked. About Mum, Dad, Grandma, Lisa and Him. Sophie said people change.
And he goes back to His house ....he's back for Mum...

Utterly stunning read. Full of emotion and the difficulties that come in families.