Gliff - Ali Smith

This novel tells the story of two children who are left to fend for themselves in a world that is hostile to their existence. They have a mother, but she is covering shifts for her ill sister in a hotel for very rich people. They are being looked after by Leif, who is their Mum’s boyfriend. When they return home from a visit to see her, the house is circled by a line of red paint. They all climb into their camper van and sleep in a supermarket car park, but then the camper van is also encircled. Leif gives the children some money, and tins of food, leaves them in an abandoned house and claims he is going to return with their Mother.