The Strange World of Jimmy Hayes

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Jimmy Hayes is an over-protected, shy, sensitive ten-year old who is unexpectedly called upon to save the world. His parents live in a middle-class Surrey suburb. Outwardly normal, their hum-drum home life is bizarre in its own way, as Mr Hayes is emotionally distant and totally disconnected with what goes on around him at home, while Mrs Hayes over-compensates for her husband’s disregard by smothering and fussing over Jimmy.

One day, overnight, suburbia is disrupted by the appearance of a huge hole in the Hayes’ garden. Amidst fears of subsidence, unexploded bombs and practical jokers, the word spreads and the Hayes and their hole become the focal point of local, and then national, attention. The police, the fire brigade and even the army arrive to investigate and metres of red tape are used to cordon off the area. The neighbourhood swarms with journalists on the lookout for a scoop. One neighbour in particular, Mrs Higgins, ever quick to take advantage of a situation, does a roaring trade serving tea and sandwiches on her front lawn.

About the time of the hole’s appearance, Jimmy starts to see lights in his room at night and a glow from the hole, lighting up the night sky. He hears a voice calling: “Shine on, Jimmy Hayes! Shine on!” Then Jimmy disappears.

He has been called upon to save the world.