Then Carol slipped her arm under her neck, and all the length of their bodies touched fitting as if something had prearranged it. Happiness was like a green vine spreading through her, stretching fine tendrils, bearing flowers through her flesh. She had a vision of a pale white flower, shimmering as if seen in darkness, or through water. Why did people talk of heaven, she wondered

I didn't hang around films. I don't know if I'd ever seen Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes.

I can't write if someone else is in the house, not even the cleaning woman.

one blow in anger [would] kill, probably, a child from aged two to eight. Those over eight would take two blows to kill.

One situation – maybe one alone – could drive me to murder: family life, togetherness.

I was in New York. Hitchcock was in California. He rang me to make a report on his progress and said, I'm having trouble. I've just sacked my second screenwriter

What was it to love someone, what was love exactly, and why did it end or not end? Those were the real questions, and who could answer them?