In 1955 John Boyle and James Lafferty became friends at school in Scotland. They both lived in Ferguslie Park - the worst housing scheme in Paisley - and they were in the same class in Senior Secondary. At the Academy, they felt ashamed of where they lived; yet in Teegie', in their school uniforms, they were mocked by the local Undesirables as "snobs".
It made allies of them. Their friendship began in that era of rock 'n' roll and Teddy Boys. They shared the confusion of young men growing up in a harsh, macho culture, the frustrations of adolescent sexuality on dates with convent girls, and the impossibility of hearing their beloved rock 'n' roll anywhere other than on the wireless - it was never played in the dancehalls.
Yearning to break free of their limited lives, for two years they were rarely apart. But when Laff dropped out of school and left for exotic destinations in the Merchant Navy, it set the friendship on a course that would end in tragedy.
'Galloway Street', John Boyle's humorous yet moving account of his childhood in a poor Irish immigrant family in Scotland, was enthusiastically received. Now, in 'Laff', he explores an adolescent friendship that left its mark on him for the rest of his life.
