He likes driving very fast on the wrong side of the road, said Sarah. Which I can completely understand.

I can only drive slowly. That's all right. And I can only do left turns. Rose ran downstairs, grabbed a road atlas, and ran triumphantly back up again. Wales is left! Look! It's left all the way!

Saffy could tell by the feel of the darkness that Caddy was awake. She said, Caddy, how far back can you remember? Oh, said Caddy, ages. I can remember when I could only lie flat. On my back. I can remember how pleased I was when I learned to roll over.

Make a wish, said Indigo. Rose made a wish and then asked, Why? That's what I always do. Wish on the moving ones. Does it matter how fast they move? I don't think so. Can you wish on airplanes, too? Oh, yes.

Don't call me darling. I'm a driving instructor!

She'll soon forget. Caddy, said Saffron impatiently, she is headmistress of the private school! She's probably never forgotten anything in her whole life!

Fishing in a bucket. The total hopelessness of the activity was very soothing. It was the perfect sport. Without the emotional stresses of success and failure, she was entirely free to enjoy the pleasures of the moment... It was a good hobby, and cheap, and if more people did it more often

Darling Daddy, This is Rose. The shed needs new wires now it has blown up. Caddy is bringing home rock-bottom boyfriends to see if they will do for Mummy. Instead of you. Love, Rose.