Lighthousekeeping

by Jeanette Winterson

The lighthouse is a known point in the darkness.

What kind of story, child? A story with a happy ending. There’s no such thing in all the world. As a happy ending? As an ending.

You can’t be another person’s honesty, child, but you can be your own.

So what should I say? When? When I love someone? You should say it.

‘Don’t regret your life, child. It will pass soon enough.’

A problem shared was a problem doubled, he thought. People tried to help, but all they did was interfere. Better to keep trouble contained, like a mad dog.

‘Never rely on what you can see. Not everything can be seen.’