A flight across country to Rome with Mum to escape being stalked by Dad. This is an account given by nine year old Lawrence in his language and, disconcertingly at first, his spelling. In this credible story where all is not as it at first seems, the empathy I felt both for the boy and his mother grew as the truth gradually emerges. An unusual book; the story is interspersed with snippets of information on space and ancient Romans gleaned from Lawrence’s reading. Written sympathetically and although sad at times, I think this is a positive and worthwhile read.