Tom’s aunt Georgie spoke to me first, and Tom found me through her. At the time, I didn’t actually think Tom was a big enough character to carry a story. If it had to be anyone from Saving Francesca, I thought, it would be Will Trombal or Tara. But the line in Francesca, ‘I want to be the first male in the Mackee family to reach 40 and still have a liver’ stuck with me, and in the end, Tom has been one of the biggest surprises. I’m glad I didn’t kick him out of my head.

You're judging her by her literacy," Tara says. "You're a literacist." "You've made that up.

I'm sick and tired of you people living interstate and overseas from people you want to be with. You're ruining my life! All of you!

Are you an idiot, or an idiot?' Gargarin hissed. 'The first one. I really resent being called the second.

He knows no other way but ugliness,” Sir Topher said quietly. “He was taught no other lessons but those of force. His teachers have been scum who live by their own rules. No one has ever taught him otherwise.” “Am I to forgive?” she said, her voice shaking with anger. “No,” he said sadly. “Pity him. Or give him new rules. Or put him down like a wild animal before he becomes a monster who destroys everything he encounters.

Do you want to know something about tyrants? When faced with death, they weep and they beg just like the rest of us.

He nods. "My mum has one just the same and you have no idea how disturbing it is that it's turning me on.