Arriving at the port, Malik and his grandfather prepare to spend the night in an abandoned house. But their rest is disturbed by the arrival of two men who want to know how much money they have.It is the beginning of their desperate attempt to secure passage on the boat. Malik must find the ability to survive alone, in strange company, if he is to escape. In the end all he possesses is his courage, his sense of right and wrong and a cat called Booty.The drama is nail-biting, the characterisation beautiful and the conclusion an emotional storm.A haunting, suspenseful story of adventure, trust - and betrayal - from a brand-new author with traditional story-telling powers, reminiscent of Anne Holm and Sonya Hartnett.