Fifty-one year old Vivian is struggling with the menopause, a messy divorce and the death of her father. The only light in her life is her eleven year old son, Jake. Alone and isolated, she spends her nights battling insomnia. Hoping to be reminded of better times, Vivian reads her old journals and discovers a long-forgotten comment by Jake. 'I'm only going to live 'til I'm twelve.' His morbid prophecy torments Vivian and she vows to do all she can to ensure her son reaches his twelfth birthday. With only forty-one days to go, everything is a potential threat. As her paranoia escalates, will Vivian's efforts save him or will she be the reason his prophecy is fulfilled? Set on the Isle of Sheppey, this poignant and haunting novel shines a light on the links between the menopause, mental health and the challenges of parenting. Longlisted for the 2024 Bridport Novel Prize.