Between the Hedgerow Thorns

The story is narrated by Hendrix Milne with an implication it's to a doctor. Hendrix is thirty five, a full time English Literature student who struggles with reality. He strives to be alone, to write and read but friends, family and neighbours just won't leave him alone. He feels as if he's the only sane person left in the world. He is continually invited to dinner parties and sporting events, places he never wants to be. All of those around him seem to have a demand on him. He is not strong enough to refuse. The only places of solace are museums and art galleries which he frequents a lot. At the museum he finds a lover, a married security guard. They have sex regularly, rendezvousing in the museum's egyptian room until one day Hendrix, after hiding from a security guard, accidentally finds himself locked in the museum and is forced to stay the night. He is caught and banned for a year.

His only real friend is Lilly, his mate's Jim's daughter who is Down Syndrome. Jim is manic depressive and almost takes his life. While he rcovers Lilly stays with Hendrix. It is the happies few weeks of his life until a nosy neighbour reports him to authorities for not taking care of Lilly properly and she is taken away. Hendrix is devastated. At the same time he finds out his application to the One-way Mars programme is successful but he hangs up on them.