You’re here. You’re real. Embrace that person you were, and make sure you have reason to like the person you’re becoming. The past you can’t change. The future is what matters.

People tend to romanticise consciousness, as if it’s something spiritual. It’s just a word we use to describe complexity.

Someday you'll understand. You'll have your own children, and they'll mean more to you than the world. A wife has to defend her children, even against her own husband. Not that I expect you to be easily cowed. But sometimes, despite all you say and do, your husband won't be dissuaded from folly. When that happens, as a mother you have to close ranks. Your first responsibility is to your children. To salvage what you can. Even if they hate you for it.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about there being another me sharing space in the universe. Would I even like myself?

You are so hot,” I said.“How hot?” she asked, toying with the hem of the shirt.“Ionising radiation hot,” I said. “Neutral pion decay hot.”Elena snorted. “You’re such a romantic,” she said.

A person is not the same as a toaster.