It is hope, not despair, that undoes us all.

DNA tells you all the secrets of life,’ he used to say. Except for one—how to live it.

They sat quietly together for a few minutes, Joe holding Fiona's hand, Fiona sniffling. No flowery words, no platitudes passed between them. Joe would have done anything to ease her suffering, but he knew nothing he might do, or say, could. Her grief would run its course, like a fever, and release her when it was spent. He would not shush her or tell her it was God's will and that her da was better off. That was rubbish and they both knew it. When something hurt as bad as this, you had to let it hurt. There were no shortcuts.

Most of the mess that is called history comes about because kings and presidents cannot be satisfied with a nice chicken and a good loaf of bread.

I could almost hear the characters inside, murmuring and jostling, impatient for me to open the cover and let them out.

I was only glad to be saved and never once thought to ask why.

Bravery is feeling fear but doing the thing anyway.