Crossing The Whitewash

Some family secrets refuse to stay buried...

Talented 13-year-old sportsman Gary Marshall experiences the realities of living in a poor suburb when knife-wielding thugs try to rob him of his bike. Rescued by streetwise tough kid Arnie Dolan and his dog Stevo, the two strike up a close bond, forming a gang called the Boxer Boys to protect their territory.

When Gary seizes a chance to improve his life by accepting trials with a professional football club, the boys go their separate ways, only to be thrown back together when his parents split up. His world spinning out of control, Gary finds Arnie now fully immersed in gang life as chief drug supplier to their neighbourhood and on a night out together he suffers a horrific injury that destroys his career hopes.

Worse is to follow, though, when the two boys are involved in a street brawl which leaves a man dead. Torn apart by circumstance it isn't until eight years later that Arnie seeks out his former partner-in-crime.

But where is Gary? And why is he so keen to let the past stay in the past?

"Evocative, original, unfailingly precise and often humorous" - Writers Digest eBook judges