Fifty-one year old Vivian is struggling with the menopause, a messy divorce and the death of her father. The only light in her life is her eleven year old son, Jake.

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Alone and isolated, she spends her nights battling insomnia. Hoping to be reminded of better times, Vivian reads her old journals and discovers a long-forgotten comment by Jake.

'I'm only going to live 'til I'm twelve.'

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His morbid prophecy torments Vivian and she vows to do all she can to ensure her son reaches his twelfth birthday. With only forty-one days to go, everything is a potential threat. As her paranoia escalates, will Vivian's efforts save him or will she be the reason his prophecy is fulfilled?

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Set on the Isle of Sheppey, this poignant and haunting novel shines a light on the links between the menopause, mental health and the challenges of parenting.

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Longlisted for the 2024 Bridport Novel Prize.