Publisher Description

Nollaig has survived life in Belfast with her alcoholic dad on wits, courage and the gift of the gab. But now she's frightened: not for herself, but for the baby she's secretly carrying. She decides to run away. She finds refuge in the little-used crypt of a local church. She plans to stay there until after Christmas, when she'll be sixteen and free to leave home for good.The only person she tells about her pregnancy, her plans, and her hiding place is her best friend Stephen. He knows only too well how dangerous the truth can be, if the truth marks you out as 'different'.When the church's vicar discovers them, they think their time is up; but they've discovered his little secret - and will use it against him if he reveals theirs.Overlooked by an angel in the stained glass, these three souls-in-hiding face the choice before them: a life hidden in the safety of shadows, or a life lived freely, fully fledged and in plain sight?

Back Cover

'I'd thought about leaving before, loads of times, but now I had to make a move. You can put up with a lot, I reckon, loads of people do, but then something will happen and you have to do something about it.' Nollaig has survived living with her alcoholic dad on wits, courage and the gift of the gab. But now she's frightened: not for herself, but for the baby she'll give birth to in six months' time. The only person she tells is her best friend Stephen who is no stranger to the ways that 'being yourself' can get you into trouble round these parts - if being yourself means 'being different'. Nollaig decides to run away. She finds a hiding place in the little-used crypt of a local church. She'll stay until Christmas is over, until she's sixteen and free to leave home for good. Nothing is better than fear at keeping secrets. But a hidden life is barely a life at all. Just before Christmas day, the church's priest discovers them - though they soon learn that he's hiding a secret about himself, too. Overlooked by a stained-glass image of Mary at the annunciation, these three souls-in-hiding bring their secrets to light, and face the choice before them: a life barely-lived in the safe silent shadows, or a life lived freely, fully-fledged and in plain sight?

Flap

'I'd thought about leaving before, loads of times, but now I had to make a move. You can put up with a lot, I reckon, loads of people do, but then something will happen and you have to do something about it.' Nollaig has survived living with her alcoholic dad on wits, courage and the gift of the gab. But now she's frightened: not for herself, but for the baby she'll give birth to in six months' time. The only person she tells is her best friend Stephen who is no stranger to the ways that 'being yourself' can get you into trouble round these parts - if being yourself means 'being different'. Nollaig decides to run away. She finds a hiding place in the little-used crypt of a local church. She'll stay until Christmas is over, until she's sixteen and free to leave home for good. Nothing is better than fear at keeping secrets. But a hidden life is barely a life at all. Just before Christmas day, the church's priest discovers them - though they soon learn that he's hiding a secret about himself, too. Overlooked by a stained-glass image of Mary at the annunciation, these three souls-in-hiding bring their secrets to light, and face the choice before them: a life barely-lived in the safe silent shadows, or a life lived freely, fully-fledged and in plain sight?

Author Biography

Shirley-Anne McMillan was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. She studied at Queen's University, Belfast and Manchester Metropolitan University. Shirley-Anne wrote and performed with Belfast-based arts group, Ikon, for several years and she currently lives in South Down where she spends her time as a writer, schools worker and mum.

Review

A commendable message, delivered without finger-wagging, in a brisk and breezy novel that, despite the heavy subject matter, had me laughing aloud more than once. - Irish IndependentA compellingly, realistic and contemporary narrative - Belfast Telegraph

Long Description

Nollaig has survived life in Belfast with her alcoholic dad on wits, courage and the gift of the gab. But now she's frightened: not for herself, but for the baby she's secretly carrying. She decides to run away. She finds refuge in the little-used crypt of a local church. She plans to stay there until after Christmas, when she'll be sixteen and free to leave home for good.The only person she tells about her pregnancy, her plans, and her hiding place is her best friend Stephen. He knows only too well how dangerous the truth can be, if the truth marks you out as 'different'.When the church's vicar discovers them, they think their time is up; but they've discovered his little secret - and will use it against him if he reveals theirs.Overlooked by an angel in the stained glass, these three souls-in-hiding face the choice before them: a life hidden in the safety of shadows, or a life lived freely, fully fledged and in plain sight?

Review Quote

A commendable message, delivered without finger-wagging, in a brisk and breezy novel that, despite the heavy subject matter, had me laughing aloud more than once. - Irish IndependentA compellingly, realistic and contemporary narrative - Belfast Telegraph

Promotional "Headline"

In a church in Belfast at Christmas, a boy, a girl, and a priest are in hiding. Fear keeps secrets. Life demands the truth. Which would you choose?

Description for Sales People

Louise O'Neill and John Boyne have given Irish YA a boost - but few books from the country have a specific Northern Irish focus and experience

Details