I had always been led to believe that ageing was a slow and gradual process, the creep of a glacier. Now I realise that it happens in a rush, like snow falling off a roof.

And of course there is always joy in witnessing the joy of others

The city had defeated her, just like they said it would. Like some overcrowded party, no one had noticed her arrival, and would notice if she left.

I really was a terrible actor. I did it for years in my twenties because it was like being at university again.

So must people hate their jobs.That's why they're called it jobs

She had never been a proficient flirt. Her spasms of kittenish behaviour were graceless and inept, like normal conversation on roller skates. but the combination of the retsina and sun made Emma feel sentimental and light-headed. She reached for her roller skates.

but they had also settled into the maddening familiarity of friendship; maddening for her at least.