*

One person’s happiness is often built upon another person’s unhappiness, that’s the way of the world. It’s tough, and I’m sorry as hell it had to be Stuart. I’ve probably lost a friend, my oldest friend. But I had no choice, not really. No-one ever does, not without being a completely different person. Blame whoever invented the universe if you want to blame someone, but don’t blame me.

Another thing I think: why is everybody always on the side of the fucking tortoise? Let’s hear it for the hare for a change.

—Talking it Over.

Julian Barnes.