It's 1974 in Belfast and the first power-sharing administration for the troubled province is in its infancy. Local bullyboys, prompted by the paramilitaries, have taken over a Loyalist estate and the pressure to join in is intense.
When 16-year-old Billy and his two friends, Mike and Scotty, are bullied into manning a barricade, Mike hatches a plan to run away to the countryside.
Sam, a Catholic friend of the boys, has his own motives for wanting to leave and is allowed to tag along. The story is narrated by an adult Billy as he looks back on his and his friends' lives at a pivotal moment in their childhood.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
