Ian and Stolly are best friends. Ian, who was adopted as a baby (and there is lots about his adoption in the story) is the solid, practical one. Stolly is different: he makes up hair-raising stories; he is obsessive, accident prone, can do nothing practical, not even tie his own shoe laces; he is often full of wisdom and says things others wouldn't, about himself and others; he is moody,often funny, 'half in love with death' and plays the violin extremely well. At the beginning of the book, Stolly is in hospital, having suffered another of his accidents - or is it? He is unconscious and has broken many bones in a fall from a high window. Ian's mum and Ian are with him, not knowing how serious Stolly's injuries are. Stolly has been almost a member of their family since he was very young as his successful barrister father and designer mother have little time for him. Ian begins writing Stolly's story to pass the time in hospital, and as he writes, it becomes apparent that Stolly's swift mood shifts can become suicidal. We realise that it is probable that Stolly jumped from the window, or tried to hang himself. Ian, the practical one, manages to convince Stolly, when he wakes, that his self-harming actions affect other people too, and there is some hope that lovable Stolly will be okay. The outcome is left doubtful, though, and a book that is basically humourous in tone has a dark and bleak underside. Excellent - but then this is Anne Fine!