Why did she give up wine for Lent? Polly was more sensible. She had given up strawberry jam. Cecilia had never seen Polly show more than a passing interest in strawberry jam, although now, of course, she was always catching her standing at the open fridge, staring at it longingly. The power of denial.

If parents had children who were good sleepers, they assumed this was due to their good parenting, not good luck.

She longed to feel something momentous. Sometimes her life seemed so little.

Falling in love was easy.anyone could fall. It was holding on that was tricky

Nobody ever told you that being a mother is all about making what seemed like thousands of tiny decisions.

They say it's good to let your grudges go, but I don't know, I'm quite fond of my grudge. I tend it like a little pet.

Perhaps nothing was ever “meant to be.” There was just life, and right now, and doing your best. Being a bit “bendy.