WINNER OF THE BAILEYS WOMENS PRIZE FOR FICTION 2016WINNER OF THE DESMOND ELLIOT PRIZE 2016We all do stupid things when were kids.Ryan Cusacks grown up faster than most - being the oldest of six with a dead mum and an alcoholic dad will do that for you.And nobody says Ryans stupid. Not even behind his back.Its the people around him who are the problem. The gangland boss using his dad as a cleaner. The neighbour who says shes trying to help but maybe wants something more than that. The prostitute searching for the man she never knew shed miss until he disappeared without trace one night . . .The only one on Ryans side is his girlfriend Karine. If he blows that, hes all alone.But the truth is, you dont know your own strength till you need it.