tears of relief wobbled on her lower eyelids . my dad is never , ever around . mum had started me early ; i had been reading since the age of three and chose more adult books than childrens choose . `` well , that 's not actually true , '' i said . she smiled and said , `` i love you too . `` must be horrible to be trapped in a burning building . '' she stepped between them and looked down at the sobbing child . this is n't about you and me , '' he defended . 