How Long Is “Handstand”?

In the long hot summer before he heads off to university, Luke Davies' life is a numbing mixture of anticipation and boredom as he counts off the seemingly endless days. He is awoken one morning by the clatter heralding the arrival of new family into the long empty house next door. From his bedroom window, Luke catches his first glimpses of his new neighbours - the Moores. The father, Alun, is a very ordinary looking man with a thinning pate. The mother, Helen, a downtrodden 40-something, who is slightly too nervous for her years. Then he spies the 19-year-old daughter – Sarah – a slight, plain looking creature, who appears to be on the tail end of an unsuccessful 'goth' phase. Intrigued, Luke stares at her, until she notices his gaze and scurries into her new house and out of sight. There is something mysteriously appealing about Sarah.