"having known her for so long I know the way light hold her neck, know her rhythm even when she's still"

'Small Worlds' follows Stephen through finishing school, prom, results, Summer, uni, jobs, and dealing with family and loss; all while existing as a Black man in Britain.

This is one of those rare books where you know from the first page it's a five star.

'Small Worlds' shows the beauty of the space people hold in the world, and the space we make for them in ours. It explores family love, parental love, brotherly love, romantic love; ultimately, the love of knowing and being known. The what-ifs, maybes, change, regrets, and stumbling through life in your youth. Caleb shows us the joy of music; the sense of self found in a rhythm. But also sadness, parental expectations and disappointment, the tiredness you feel in your soul, death, grief, and all-consuming loneliness. We see what it means to be Black in this country, to live with that underlying fear everyday; the collective grief and trauma, but also belonging.

The writing is so beautiful it makes your heart ache. I feel I know every character intimately, no matter how brief they're time on the page. I savoured every word, and truly didn't want it to end.

So, not goodbye, but in a bit.