The Heart's Invisible Furies

by John Boyne

‘Every man is afraid of women as far as I can see,’ said Julian, displaying an understanding of the universe far beyond his years. ‘That’s true,’ she said. ‘But only because most men are not as smart as women and yet they continue to hold all the power. They fear a change of the world order.’

‘You mustn’t lie to me, Cyril,’ he said, pointing a finger at me. ‘Because I’ll know if you’re lying.’ ‘If that’s true, then you must know that I’m not,’ I said. ‘I haven’t seen anyone.’

But I always think the great thing about the civil service is that you can go in there at twenty years old, spend every day of your life behind one desk and before you know it you’re an old man and it’s all behind you and the only thing left to do is die. There must be great security in that.’