Beka's best friend, Toycie Qualo, is 17, and in her last year of school gets herself expelled when she becomes pregnant by her boyfriend Emilio Villanueva.

Toycie dies after a miscarriage and a short space of time in the local asylum nicknamed "Sea Breeze Hotel".

Her mother (Lilla Lamb) buys her a special book and pen in which she is told to write any lies or stories that she is tempted to tell, in an effort to curb her tale-telling habit.

By the end of the book, Beka has transformed from "a flat-rate Belize creole" to a girl with "high mind", since her troubles have forced her to learn the value of money, education, unity within the community and most of all, some manners and respect.

One theme prevalent in this novel is the political state of Belize, the movement from British rule is important to this story.