“They had something, that generation, he thought. They didn't doubt themselves. They knew what life was, and where they belonged in it. Not like us.”

“The human longing for story is so powerful, so primitive, that it seems like something not learned, but locked into our genes.”

“He said a fortuneteller had told Mum's fortune once, and after that, she's never gone out on sea again. It was years ago, but she never has. Not once." said Conner"What did the fortuneteller say?" I asked"Dad wouldn't tell me. It must have been something really bad though.""maybe the fortuneteller said that Mum would die by drowning." I suggested."Don't be stupid Saph. A fortuneteller wouldn't ever say that to someone. You’re going to drown, that’ll be ten pounds please”

“For you where never my blood sister so no more shall I call you little sister”

“Fear of this order is not an emotion. It is like a virus overwhelming every cell of his body, while his mind struggles to remain clear.”

“The word 'personal' is one of my aversions. Personal loan. Personal hygiene. Personal safety. It's only a way of wrapping up bad news that you're in debt, or dirty, or likely to be mugged.”

“You're trapped both ways. You do as you are told and you do things that you think will make you big, but all the time you're shrinking.”