Still Life: The instant Sunday Times bestseller and BBC Between the Covers Book Club pick

She hated the smells of damp wool and coal smoke. She hated nights that began at three and days that barely raised their heads from the pillow.

It’s what we’ve always done. Left a mark on a cave, or on a page. Showing who we are, sharing our view of the world, the life we’re made to bear.

room. And there I stood, between the graveyard of glasses, and the wilting nubs of candles.

‘Life’s what you make it,

No! Dante. The belief that a combination of intellect and beauty can make the world a better place.

Those little moments that nobody else notices. Little sacred moments of the everyday.

She could feel Margaret’s gaze haunting her. The blunt edge of her jealousy.

Saying nothing but understanding everything.

But always the value for me will be response. How it moves one.