And round and round and round. Why couldn't I get past the letter? Like poison I'd had seeped into every image and every memory I kept of Callum, polluting them until I couldn't tell which was real and what was just wishful thinking anymore. Until at last, I was forced to face the inescapable fact that, for whatever reason, Callum had written the letter.

— Malorie Blackman

For once, I didn't look away immediately. I forced myself to meet her contemptuous gaze. I allowed myself to be swept away by it, to drown in it - the way I'd done so many times before. The way I would willingly do again. Because at least she was here to hate me. At least I had that. I watched my daughter conjure up the filthiest look in her vast arsenal before she turned away with complete disdain. I didn't mind that so much. It meant I could watch her, drink her in without her protest. Look at our daughter, Callum. Isn't she beautiful, so very beautiful? She laughs like me, but when she smiles... Oh Callum, when she smiles, it's picnics in Celebration Park and sunsets on our beach and our very first kiss all over again. When Callie Rose smiles at me, she lights up my life. When Callie Rose smiles at me.

— Malorie Blackman

He wrapped his arms around me. We were cuddled up like a couple of spoons in a cutlery drawer.

— Malorie Blackman

I mean you're cute, but not that cute. Would Rhea really risk life in a maximum security detention unit just so that she could press herself against your manly body?

— Malorie Blackman

I remember being in a history lesson and saying to my teacher, 'How come you never talk about black scientists and inventors and pioneers?' And she looked at me and said, 'Because there aren't any.'

— Malorie Blackman

I remember, when I was at school, we would have a 10-minute storytelling session where we'd all sit on the floor cross-legged, and the teacher would read. It became something we all really looked forward to. That was part of the reason I grew to love stories.

— Malorie Blackman

I think fan fiction is the way most writers start, and the same goes for music and design.

— Malorie Blackman

I wish... I wish he wasn't quite so ashamed of me. And if he could stop feeling so ashamed of himself, then maybe we might stand a chance.

— Malorie Blackman

So why did you want to kiss me?"" We're friends aren't we?" Callum shrugged. I relaxed into a smile. "Of course we are."" And if you can't kiss your friends who can you kiss?" Callum smiled.

— Malorie Blackman

That just the way it is. Some things will never change. That's just the way it is. But don't you believe them.

— Malorie Blackman