Jane Gent

“have often thought we spend too much time obsessing about finding, “the one”, and we forget that a best friend can be a lifelong love. There is a fundamental truth, comfort and joy in having a best friend.”
― Sally Page, The Book of Beginnings

“And I stood there, the fake mother between the genuine articles, Wendy and Mrs O’Flaherty. They seem to find it so easy; kids, husband, housework. To them, it comes as naturally as breathing. I just feel like I’m suffocating. Tilly hated the doll I got her. I don’t understand why she asked for it – she never plays with dolls. But still she went along with it, pretending to be pleased. But then Karen had to mention him: Stevie, the spectre at the feast. It wasn’t her fault, but that was the end of the ‘happy birthday’ game. The others went home and left us alone again. Tilly sat and looked at her presents. I could see that she was desperately holding herself together, like a sandcastle being lapped by the waves. And we both knew that the tide was coming in. I think she was doing it for me; protecting me from her hurt. She acts like she’s the mother and I’m the child. So what did I do? I drowned my sorrows. Again. Pathetic, despicable, worthless bitch that I am, I drank myself to sleep. Again.”
― Ruth Hogan, Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel

“there was one time when I went too far and almost died. The water was very cold and I stayed under too long. Someone dragged me out just in time and I made out that it was simply a foolish accident. But I knew that it was more than that, and I learned a valuable lesson from it. I’m a survivor – I don’t want to die. The problem was that I was at the mercy of my emotions – I lacked control, and sometimes my grief could override my will.”
― Ruth Hogan, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes

“To the three of us.’ She pauses and then adds the words that George Eliot wrote: ‘It is never too late to be what you might have been.’ The three of them raise their glasses in unison.”
― Sally Page, The Book of Beginnings