Danny's Boy — Kate Aaron

Growing up gay in a small, working-class town isn't easy. Returning there after three years spent in the bright lights of the city is even harder. But with no job, and no money, Danny doesn't have much choice.

An unprovoked attack confirms all of Danny's fears about life in his hometown. The irony of his rescuer being Ste, his homophobic ex-best friend, isn't lost on him. But in the five years they've been apart, Ste has changed. Life has let them both down, and suddenly they have something in common again.

Danny starts to hope. He misses the freedom of the city, he misses his friends, but perhaps Ste can give him a reason to stay, after all.

Danny's Boy is an 11,000 word (45 page) short story.