Bigotry is probably the thing I detest most.

I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but safety first!

And anyway, it’s not as though I’ll never see Mum again, is it?

She kept asking herself whether, if he had looked cleaner, she might have been more concerned; whether, on some subliminal level, she had confused his obvious signs of neglect with street-smartness, toughness and resilience.

Parry Otter, the Chosen Boy Who - well - something of that sort.

Even if I could, I wouldn't. Scars can come in handy. I have one myself above my left knee that is a perfect map of the London Underground.

You're the one who is weak. You will never know love or friendship. And I feel sorry for you.