“If we'd just been fighting their army without the general, we might, just MIGHT have had a chance. But with him...?' The big man shrugged, then stood to leave. 'But that's defeatist talk. And I've got a fyrd to help train. I'll see you tonight at dinner, Maggie.”

“Well, I thought you might want to listen to this. I mean, I thought you might be . . . ready for it."I don't know if you remember, but just before . . . just before Malcolm died, he took me to see a concert in the town. We went to Barbarella's, and we heard all these weird bands. You remember the kind of music he used to like? Well, the people who made this record were playing that night, and they were his favourite. He liked them more than anyone. And I thought that if you heard it, it might remind you . . . might help you to think a bit about the kind of person he was."And there's another reason too. You see the title of the record? It's called The Rotters' Club."The Rotters' Club: that's us, Lois, isn't it? Do you see? That's what they used to call us, at school. Bent Rotter, and Lowest Rotter. We're The Rotters' Club. You and me. Not Paul. Just you and me."I think this record was meant for us, you see. Malcolm never got to hear it, but I think he . . . knows about it, if that doesn't sound too silly. And now it's his gift, to you and me. From - wherever he is."I don't know if that makes any sense."Anyway."I'll just leave it on the table here."Have a listen, if you feel like it."I've got to go now."I've got to go, Lois."I've got to go.”

“Oh, I can't talk to you the way I've wanted to; I've been tellin' lies but I'll tell you the truth.Darling, I'm tired and I should be leaving, leaving. You know I'm tired and I should be leaving, leaving tonight.”

“Try to imagine where we'd be without you, darlin', and then maybe you'll see just how lucky we got.”

“I don't play with my life by talking bullshit.I might have some chances in this bitchy life,but I've got only one fuckin' chance to give...my best shot.”

“you might want to decide fast. We live in a dangerous world. If you see a chance to be happy, you have to fight for it, so later you have no regrets.”