Death: I know, or I think I know that death will only be nothingness, but I don't want oblivion yet.

I want to smell honeysuckle in the dark, I want to hear my cat greet me with her special purring mew; I want to smell old books.

I want everything, clouds, sunshine, I want to see a whale - I've never seen a whale.

I even want to hear the terrifying sound of the sea in a storm.

I want a boy to kiss me one day. I want to run along a beach again. I want to go to America and Australia. There are so many books I want to read. I want to live. Gussie lives in Cornwall and, like most 12-year-olds, is quickly growing up.

She is also awaiting news of a heart transplant operation.

When Gussie moves from the coast to a new house in town, she rebels, discovers her ancestors and an interest in photography, falls in love and has parent troubles; all whilst experiencing general adolescent angst and trying not to wait for what might never happen.