When she faced the noise, she found the mayor’s wife in a brand-new bathrobe and slippers. On the breast pocket of the robe sat an embroidered swastika. Propaganda even reached the bathroom.

You can't eat books, sweetheart.

Make sure you live,' she said. 'As decent as you can. I know you'll make mistakes, but sometimes you're meant to, okay?

Or had she always loved him? It's likely. Restricted as she was from speaking, she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted him to drag her hand across and pull her over. It didn't matter where. Her mouth, her neck, her cheek. Her skin was empty for it, waiting.

I have to say that although it broke my heart, I was, and still am, glad I was there.

Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are.

You can do all manner of underhanded nice things when you have a caustic reputation.