"Removing a child from its parents was never going to be a humdrum, everyday event; it was always traumatic, emotional and difficult" (Chapter One, p. 4).

"The sweet, mop-headed child who has had a little bad luck and only needs a bit of love and affection to thrive and blossom and spread happiness in the world doesn't exist" (Chapter Two, p. 15).

"'And what about you, Adrian? What's your first impression?' 'She reminds me of that doll Chucky in the horror film. You know the one that's possessed by the devil'" (Chapter Four, p. 48).

"She stared at me as though I'd finally lost it. 'Why? Why do you like me?' 'Because underneath that angry Jodie is a kind and happy Jodie waiting to come out" (Chapter Eight, p. 87).

"But how could they have missed all the signs, and for so long? Perhaps they'd focused on the obvious physical...