“He loved to draw. Animals pouncing mostly. And trees. Always lone trees in black landscapes.”

“But remember this if nothing else: I love you more than there are words or stars. I love you more than there are thoughts and feelings. I love you more than there are seconds or moments gone or to come. I love you.”

“I pulled him closer to me, wrapping my arms around him, kissing him just as desperately as he was kissing me. Like if we could just love long enough and hard enough and deep enough, then the world outside would never, could never hurt us.”

“Sometimes the things you're convinced you don't want turn out to be the thing you need the most in this world.”

“People are people. We'll always find a way to mess up, doesn't matter who's in charge.”

“Why was it that when noughts committed criminal acts, the fact that they were noughts was always pointed out? The banker was a Cross. The newsreader didn't even mention it.”

“Did you love Melanie?" asked Adam unexpectedly. There was no pause before I shook my head."That's a shame," said Adam."Why?""Well, someone as special as your daughter should've been... made with love.”