'Sometimes I thought my story, my life, the real life of Max Cooper Jackson, didn't begin till Andy Westgarth claimed my friendship - complete, undivided, four-hundred-and-fifty-fabulous-freewheeling-percent.
They may be complete opposites, but the friendship that develops between sensible Max and his loopy mate, 'Westie', is a one-off. They are young and flying high, untouchable, and a law unto themselves - until Max falls in love with Meredith, and Westie finally meets his real mother. But as the heat of summer become the frost of winter, their bonds of friendship are tested beyond breaking point, and nothing will ever be the same again.