Abarat 2: Days of Magic, Nights of War. Clive Barker

the mood to go on talking.”

      “Oh yes, of course. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

      “The number of times I’ve told myself: do your best to be happy. You can’t change the past. She’s gone forever. And that’s all there is to it. But I suppose there’s a little corner of my heart that refuses to believe that.”

      He gave Candy one last, mournful glance, and then he headed off into the blue shadows. As he went he said: “The musician’s called Bilarki, by the way. He doesn’t talk anymore, so don’t try and get a conversation out of him; you’ll be wasting your time.”

       15 THE PURSUER