There was a species of middle pretty who smiled at everything: happy smile, disappointed smile, you're-in-trouble smile.

Bubbly is bogus.

It's just programming"
"No. It's because I love him

The lie took form as she spoke, pulling on as many strands of truth as it could reach.

And here in America rival newspapermen attack each other on sight?

Did you really think I was too fragile to know what Deryn was?"

"Fragile?" Volger looked about. "I hadn't thought so, but now I find you brooding in a bathroom. This doesn't speak well of your sturdiness.