“I can't be a mummy, I'm a daddy!”

“Well, Gascon, I'm going to miss your long blue hair. How on earth will I find you in a crowd now?”

“Blood trickles from my throat, on to Kate's white nightgown. She screams at the sight. 'Jarrod, you're bleeding!''I'm all right, don't struggle I won't let it get to you.”

“I can't sit still and see another man slaving and working. I want to get up and superintend, and walk round with my hands in my pockets, and tell him what to do. It is my energetic nature. I can't help it.”

“Instinctively, and against my better judgement, I pull her closer to me. She rests her head on my shoulder as if it is the most natural thing in all the worlds to do.But it's a mistake. I become aware of her heart beating, her lungs expanding with every breath, her skin beneath my touch.She moves, and her head slides to my chest. Shifting into sleep, she wraps her arm around my waist. Now I'm aware of my heart beating too, slowly, in sync with hers. I know I should push her away. But if my life depended on it, right now, that would be impossible.”

“We must not think of the things we could do with, but only of the things that we can't do without.”

“I push throughthe wind to the north-facing window and stand before it. 'I will bring her back!' I shout into the darkness.I do this because I know Rhauk will be listening.”