Absolutely Fine — Al James

Absolutely fine. It's what they all say. But fifteen year old Jade can't tell her mother or the doctor who has to stitch her arm why she cuts herself. All she knows is that it's the only way she can release the tensions inside her. Boyfriend Spike releases his tension by racing stolen cars. His behaviour puts him on probation and he has to undertake community service in a residential home, where surprisingly he begins to open up to Beatrice, one of the residents. Jade also begins to talk about her feelings when a teacher becomes aware of what she is doing. Gradually new relationships are formed which also involve Spike's brother and his probation officer. The novel contains both humour and tragedy and as the story develops all of them gain new understanding of the problems from their past.