“She knows that feeling too. Of believing that each time someone says her name, its to tell her that something bad has happened.”

“The string slices into the skin of his fingers and no matter how tough the calluses, it tears. But this beat is fast and even though his joints are aching, his arm's out of control like it has a mi...”

“I wish everyone would stop crying, Tom. Uncle Joe would be so angry about it." But she's crying herself now. "He'd be so angry at us, Tom, for crying so much when all he did was laugh.”

“Stani walks in later, glaring at them both.Bloody bastards. One minute punching each other, next minute reading poetry. Whats wrong with everyone this week?Tom can tell that”

“Worse still, he doesnt know how to follow the piper anymore because its a path Tom has lost faith in.And the piper knows it. Tom can see it in his fathers eyes now. And the more he stares, the clea...”

“What about the contacts your mum had? his dad asked.I rang and spoke to four very polite computers who gave me all these options and then cut out on me. Then I tried the post office, because they w...”

“Worse still, he doesnt know how to follow the piper anymore because its a path Tom has lost faith in.And the piper knows it. Tom can see it in his fathers eyes now. And the more he stares, the clea...”

“They always prided themselves on looking youthful. Fortys the new thirty, theyd joke.Until heartbreak and grief enter your life, and then fortys the new one hundred.”

“Just say up on the hill is the meaning of life and someone knew it and they wanted everyone else to enjoy it. So they put a red vinyl sofa up there.”

“Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart.”

“Without you in my arms, I feel an emptiness in my soul. I find myself searching the crowds for your face - I know it's an impossibility, but I cannot help myself.”

“So its true, when all is said and done, grief is the price we pay for love.”