Ah," he said. "I had an . . . artistic disagreement with the director of the panto. As it happens, I take issue with the objectification of women in Cinderella, and the reliance on shoes as a means of identification. Surely you understand.

We study there a lot because... what other choice does society give us, right? It's Starbucks or death, sometimes.

It could have been like a fairy tale. But fairy tales aren't real. Things don't work like that. There's a price for everything.

Once again, her parents' problems had run through her life like a piece of heavy equipment, smashing everything in their way.

My rule is: the second you find yourself doing something you hate, quit doing it.

One question," I said. "Did you tell me all that because you think I'm going to die?" "No," he said. "It's because you're doing something brave, and I felt I should too." "I'll take that as a yes," I said.

Before I take you into the beating heart of the story, let’s get one thing out of the way. I know from experience that when it comes up later, it will distract you so much that you won’t be able to concentrate on anything else I will tell you. My name is Jubilee Dougal. Take a moment and let it sink in.