The Random Plant

'He turned on his back. The sleet belted down on him from the black cynical sky above. He watched it mournfully, as his eyelids began their close. Something else was watching. It would be watching all night. It stood patiently, but like its master, it was almost dead.'

In the idyllic city of Belle Vue an unemployed millionaire is slowly killing himself. But he's not on his own. Something else is with him. It's always with him. Following his every move and feeling his every pain. Looking on in absolute silence as its master takes them ever closer to oblivion.

Meet Dave, a redundant stockbroker who once had everything. Meet Ashley, a homeless alcoholic and Dave's new best friend. Meet the plant, stuck in-between and dying to be heard. As the winter worsens and their conditions deteriorate, each must make difficult decisions on their future existence.

This engrossing debut novella by Duncan Darby is a compelling story of one man's lost love, ferocious addiction, and an odd partnership that may offer the faintest glimpse of hope. Blink and you'll miss it. The Random Plant.