Didn't know quite what to make of this book as it is obviously an analogy for married life that didn't quite work. Bosworth is a young teenage lad who isn't doing well at school. His parents are caricatures who believe that if they arrange a marriage between him and a "good" girl, then he will settle down. After much negotiation, Bosworth is betrothed to Veronica (aka The Virus) who turns out to be exactly like Bosworth ( trouble but her parents hope she will benefit from the productive influence of her husband-to-be). What makes this book strange is that neither of the parties involved is in anyway Indian - they are working -class anglo-saxons! The upshot of it all is that Bosworth decides to run away rather than face the "engagement party" his parents have planned. Surprise, surprise Veronica also runs away and the 2 find themselves living in a caravan by the seaside in the middle of winter for a week. Not sure what kids would think of this book. To me, it was so OVERDONE and nothing like Alex Shearer's other brilliant books. PS I laughed out loud only once...not a good sign. ( )