Richard did not believe in angels. He never had believed in angels. He was damned if he was going to start now. Still, it was much easier not to believe in something when it was not actually looking directly at you, and saying your name.

Neil Gaiman (b. 1960) British author, screenwriter, fabulist

Neverwhere, ch. 9 (2006 ed.)
    (Source)

In the original 1996 edition, the first two sentences are elided: "Richard did not believe in angels, he never had."