“They scribble on notepads,the sound of their pensscratching the judgemental air.”

“The telly is invadedby hallelujah channelsand informercials,both trying to selleverything neededto save you.”

“I want out of this place.With no reminders."It stings -sulphur tearsin cinnamon rain.”

“I walk the city, through its crush of people and its smells:body odour, rotting food, vomit and urine. A cocktail of oppression and freedom.”

“Then she smiles, like it'sthe first time she's seen sunafter a decade of winters.”

“I'm justthe reason they married.Mum saysI was a surprise.Dad saysI was an accident.Truth is ...I am their mistake.”

“Stella scribbledin thick black textaacross half the pagesof my best storybook,filled with people who venturedwhere their hearts took them.Beautiful worlds beyond mine.”