Cows Can't Jump

A romantic comedy of errors about breaking out, following your dreams, and finding a sense of purpose.

How far would you go for love?

18-year-old Billy Reed has few qualifications but is desperate to leave home. He's working a dead-end job as a gravedigger, his parent's marriage is falling apart, his Grandad's engaged to a woman half his age, and he's never been kissed. But when Billy meets Eva, an older, mysterious girl from Switzerland, things start to change.

Eva is all that Billy isn't: she's passionate about Russian literature, Gary Numan, windfarms and chai tea, and always ready for adventure. She makes Billy want to break out of his comfort zone and live his life to the fullest. But when Eva returns to Switzerland, Billy is heartbroken. He gambles everything for a chance to be with her: scrambling across Europe, hitchhiking with truckers, walking with refugees, and encountering suicidal cows. But the further he goes, the harder it is to be sure what he's chasing—and what he's running from.

Philip Bowne lives in London and works as a writer for a children’s entertainment brand. He went to school in Oxfordshire and went on to study English Literature and Creative Writing at college. While studying, Philip published short stories in literary magazines and anthologies in the UK, US, Canada and Germany. After graduating, he spent time in Europe and the US, working and volunteering in various roles and settings: repairing boats at Lake Como, housekeeping at a mountain lodge in California and working with charity Care4Calais in the former Calais ‘jungle’ refugee camp. He wrote his debut romantic comedy, Cows Can't Jump, while managing a bar in London. As well as writing for children's TV, Phil also works on a number of independent writing projects, including a musical set in 1970’s Soho, London and a sitcom set in a failing leisure centre.