Kirsty Eagar

Am I worried about the future? I don't know. When I think of the word it's like seeing a cavity, a space where a tooth used to be.

People save their strong opinions for women. Why don__ they look at men? If I have to read another book or see another movie about a woman being courageous, I__l throw up. Where are the books and movies about the men who do this stuff? But no, it__ always about the women. They not only have to get through it, they__e supposed to stand up, become a symbol, allow their whole lives to become derailed and defined by it. What if you don__ want to? People bang on about women having the right to make choices__ell, they need to realise women have the right to choose in these matters, too.

You cant rely on anybody being around for you, because things change.

Shame isn't a quiet grey cloud, shame is a drowning man who claws his way on top of you, scratching and tearing your skin, pushing you under the surface.

Once they know they've got a hold of your shame, they can shake it out and hold it up for the all world to see. And you become less than it. You become something disgusting.

And that's humbling, knowing that your voice can mean so much to another person.

Oooh, intrigue?' Sylvie said playfully. 'Want to know a secret? I am someone else. Nobody knows the real me.' Jess opened the door, sick of being toyed with, wanting to get away. Her voice was flat. 'You're a girl. It's the same for all of us.