I sometimes think young people are not given nearly enough credit for their ability to appreciate literary flourish.

You can't just sit in a corner weeping or you'll die.

One moment flying in green sunlight, then the sky suddenly grey and dark.

You can come back to friendship. You can let it drop, for five years or ten years, and come back to it.

Hope is treacherous, but how can you live without it?

I felt like one who wants to trap and cage a little bird, and after years of waiting and luring and baiting finds that she must do no more than hold out her hand, and the finch lands on her finger and does not fly. You scarcely dare to move. It rests on your hand whole and free, foolishly trusting and infinitely courageous. It will never be more beautiful.

Look at me!’ I screeched. ‘Look at me, Amadeus von Linden, you sadistic hypocrite, and watch this time! You’re not questioning me now, this isn’t your work, I’m not an enemy agent spewing wireless code! I’m just a minging Scots slag screaming insults at your daughter! So enjoy yourself and watch! Think of Isolde! Think of Isolde and watch!