"Practice," Skulduggery contradicted Gabe, "doesn't make perfect. Only perfect practice does. And perfect is unattainable for ordinary people, unfortunately."

It had been such a long time since Skulduggery even contemplated fishing. He hesitated, glancing up from his knot. "It really has been a while since I last dealt with fishing line," he emphasized. "Long enough that I don't even remember who taught me." It might have been his father. All that had really interested Skulduggery at the time was his early discovery of magic, and the following lies that had slowly poisoned his relationship with his family. It wasn't until later that fishing had become a peaceful reprieve for him.

"Are you the oldest in your family?" he asked, trying a second knot. This one went a little quicker, and looked noticeably better when it was finished.