Note: Page numbers refer to the Penguin Books paperback edition of The Van by Roddy Doyle, ISBN 0 14 01.7191 6.

"Jimmy Sr. left Darren in the kitchen and went out to the front step and sat on it. Christ, the step was cold; he'd end up with piles or the flu or something" (1).

"He walloped his leg with the book,

'The Man in the Iron F*cking Mask.'

Maybe he'd tell Veronica he's finished it (—He escaped, Veronica) and start one of the other ones he'd got out of the library. He was useless; couldn't even read a book properly" (28).

"He had young Jimmy's fiver and two more quid Veronica had given him so he could buy a round. If only Bimbo and Bertie were there the fiver would be enough and he'd be able to give Veronica her money back but if Paddy was there he'd need it...