Casson Quotes

“Rose,' he said. 'I suddenly feel old. I did not realize how the years had gone by. Do not try to look sympathetic because you cannot possibly understand.'

Yes, I can. I have just spent a week with Class 1 and they are like people from another plane, but really they are just me, five years ago. Indigo and Saffy and Sarah and Caddy have changed too. They are turning into the sort of people I used to call Grown Up and I cannot stop them, although I would if I could. I would slow them down, anyway. Sometimes I want to shout, 'Wait for me! Wait for me!'

Like I did when I was little and they walked too fast.

They always slowed down back then, however much of a hurry they were in, but I do not think they can turn back now.

So I do understand.”
― Hilary McKay

“Daddy sleeked back his hair and the doorbell rang.

'Answer the door, Rose,' said Indigo.

'I will,' said David kindly, and began getting to his feet, and Saffy and Caddy and Indigo and Michael all grabbed him, exclaiming 'No, you won't!'

So I answered the door.

How can that be?

How can it be that this person is here?

Is it a trick?

Is it Christmas magic?

That guitar strap looks exactly like the one I bought.



'TOM!!!' I screamed, and dragged him in through the door.

Tom said 'Happy Christmas, Permanent Rose! I can't believe you didn't guess!'

I said 'But what time is it in New York?'

'What does it matter what time it is in New York?' asked Tom. 'I'm not in New York. I'm here.”
― Hilary McKay, Forever Rose

“You look terrible,' said Saffy sternly.

'I always look terrible at two o'clock in the morning,' Mummy replied, splashing cold tap water on her face.”
― Hilary McKay, Forever Rose

“Please do not close the window, Indy, fresh air kills germs.'

'Hypothermia,' said Indigo, not obeying, 'kills people. And anyway, Rose's lips are going blue.”
― Hilary McKay, Forever Rose

“There are many safe places in my bedroom, and with Molly and Kiran's help I searched them all. I found a bundle of dead roses, a homemade CD from America, several guitar picks (how I wish I could see Tom again), a photo of me on Grandad's knee, a sponge shaped like a dinosaur, a T-shirt with teh sleeves chopped off and CRIME PAYS in iron-on letters across the front, a hat that I had when I was five and which was exactly like a hat Sarah used to wear, a packet of banana-flavored chews (why did I keep them?), and a picture of our house that I drew long, long ago on my first day at school. And I found, last of all, in the pocket of a jacket that used to be Indigo's, the diamond ring.”
― Hilary McKay, Forever Rose

“Miss Farley recognized him.

'We must find you a seat near the front!' she cried, loud enough for the whole school to hear and abandoning her raffle tickets in her excitement. 'Recorders! One moment please while we find a place for Baby Jesus's grandad!”
― Hilary McKay, Forever Rose