Sophia's Dilemma

"She sat and picked the prickles out of her feet, hoping that nobody came looking for her. At least they all knew how she felt now. With any luck, by the time she had composed herself enough to get home again, there would only be good old Edgar left to pick up the pieces and glue her back together. Sophia pulled the last prickle out and hobbled over to the play park. The place was deserted and she was grateful for small mercies. The lady-vicar's words came back to her, 'This too shall pass," bringing comfort and hope."

Sophia has no friends at school and her home life is a disaster. The only person who has stuck by her is her boyfriend, Dane. The Year 12 boy is homeless, having put his baby brother and sister into foster care and in trying to help him, Sophia makes his dire situation a whole lot worse. Her actions open up a world of trouble for Dane, when a body is found at his old house and Sophia is forced to take even more risks to put her mess right.

She had thought that Dane was changing from the 'bad boy' he had been, but overhearing a chance conversation, Sophia begins to doubt his character and must choose between helping him or letting him lose absolutely everything.

Friendless and alone, she finds help in unexpected places and learns that forgiveness can be harder to accept, than to give.