The Books

On the first day of the summer holidays, Marshall and his best friend Rory set off on their bikes, looking for adventure - "something new and amazing and different". What they find in the ruins of an abandoned cottage is the Den - a long-forgotten bomb shelter accessed only by a hidden trapdoor. For Rory, the Den promises thrills and summer fun, while for Marshall it also offers escape from the tense and claustrophobic atmosphere of home. So when Rory tells some other boys about it, Marshall's enraged at the breach of trust. Will the betrayal ultimately mean the end of their friendship or can they salvage something new from the wreckage?