This Lovely Life (Vicki Forman)

Such a hope is repeatedly incinerated in reality's unforgiving atmosphere.

Somebody Else's Kids (Torey Hayden)

I was in a moment of failing faith.

Beyond the window a cold March rain slapped the pane.

I heard tears behind her voice.

She took my silence for an affirmation of her own fears.

She leaned very slightly against me so that I could feel the merest shadow of her weight.

The odour of Emeraude preceded her. And followed her.

I scrunched down and hoped my clothes would escape notice.

Dragon Trouble (Penelope Lively)

He spoke severely to the dragons, who looked now as though butter wouldn't melt in their mouths.

Fillet and the Mob (Susan Ashe)

Fillet had spent all day trying to sleep in a pool of sunlight that kept moving away from her.

Forgotten

...that has been damaged by water, fire, light or just the passing of the years.

P/S: Taken from a book which I don't remember the title. Read it while I was back in university.