Cyberpest

When Rob's cast-off electronic toy comes to life his younger sister Hatty faces a dilemma. Should she respond to the small creature's incessant demands? Or should she ignore the needs of the now more-than-virtual pet? As the creature grows up, the children learn about responsibility, love and loss.

Meg writes:

I wrote ‘Cyberpest’ because I wanted to write something which might appeal to both sexes and I wanted to write something very contemporary and relevant. Cyberpets (little hand-held computer ‘pets’) were very popular at the time. The more I thought about it, the more I realised this story would give me the chance to write about some pretty big issues like love, responsibility and what your soul is. Cyberpest has no body – but he certainly seems to have a soul! That all seemed very interesting. Then I got really into the idea of having the story told by both Hatty and Rob and having yet another font for Cyberpest. It seemed really exciting to me but it nearly drove my editor mad!

Sadly, ‘Cyberpest’ has just gone out of print. Because it was about a craze, that was almost bound to happen. I’m pleased by how long it hung on. It sold very well at first. I still think it’s a great story andI have some copies available . If you would like one, please e-mail me. Maybe I should update it and have the little alien living inside a mobile phone!

My favourite passage is at the very end. I thought it was quite a happy ending because, although Cyberpest is moving on, it’s been a good experience for them all. I really like the last line:

‘Maybe, one day, he’ll visit you. Look after him for us. Please.’

Unfortunately, one young friend and one old one, have both complained about how sad it is! It made one of them cry! I feel a bit bad about that but at least it shows he was really involved in the story!