If you could save someone's life, would you? Anyone's? Ali's older brother has a swastika tattooed on his knuckles, a prison ID number for nearly beating an immigrant to death, and spent his teenage years ruthlessly persecuting Ali for being gay. Blood may be thicker than water, but Ali has spent most of his life desperate to prove he is nothing like Tony. A committed vegetarian, charity-supporter, and blood donor, Ali would do anything for anyone. Ali may share parentage with Tony, but he’s determined not to share anything else if he can help it. So when Tony contracts leukaemia, and Ali is the only match for the urgently-needed bone marrow transplant, Ali is caught between two equally awful choices: to refuse and condemn a man to death, or to donate. And in donating, save the life of the man who nearly murdered Ali's Iraqi boyfriend?

Thicker Than Bone

“Come on. Don’t be scared. They’ll be about ready to eat anyway. And compliment the pigs-in-blankets…”


“Sausages with bacon around them. Mum managed to find some beef versions. She was really pleased with herself.”


“Remembering your supposed faith, just shut up and say they’re lovely,” Ali said and rolled his eyes.


“Don’t look so scared,” Ali implored again as he knocked. The knocker had been covered in a garish wreath, and it thudded dully on the plastic.


The door opened; Ali’s mother was cheerier than last time, or a little drunk, and hugged her son with a smile that looked genuine for once. “I’m so glad you came darling,” she crooned, and turned to Yazid with a hand held out. Yazid awkwardly shook it, and blinked in surprise when she pulled him in to kiss his cheek.


Chapter 57