And, Lou Gill, I promised I’d get you in here. Thank you for all the wonderful inspiration you have given me with your weird stories that often end with: ‘hasn’t everyone done that?’ (The answer is no – they haven’t!)

For my friends, Lisa and Susie, who seem proud to call themselves stalkers – what lovely ones you are! And to all the other gorgeous senoritas: Lara, Cris, Olga, Lou, Alia and Jen. Here’s looking forward to a pool shot with this book!

To my friends, Debs, Lucy and Donna, who read early copies and continue to be amazingly supportive – thank you for being almost as excited as I am.

To my wonderful family who enable me to do what I love, and to my husband, John, without whom I’d probably never have started writing. You never stop believing in me. Thank you for checking in daily on rankings and reviews, for your constant support, encouragement and love, and for all the laughs along the way. You’re amazing.

And finally, to my two gorgeous children, Bethany and Joseph. Being your mum is the most precious gift. I hope I have shown you that, if you never give up, you can achieve your dreams. I love you most. No returns.

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Turn the page to read an exclusive extract from Heidi’s gripping new novel …

THREE PERFECT LIARS

The Night of the Fire

Monday 13 May

It had taken seven minutes for the first of the fire engines to screech to a halt outside the offices of Morris & Wood, but even by then anyone could have seen it was too late. The fire had coursed through the building at an alarming rate. Red and orange flames were already obscured by a billowing cloud of dark-grey smoke. The sound of breaking glass shattered the air.

She was on the quay across the river from the office, with a perfect view that she no longer wanted, yet couldn’t bring herself to turn away from.

To her right a few people had spilled out of The Star pub and the couple of restaurants nearby. It was a warm evening in mid-May, warm enough to be out enjoying the longer evening even though it was a Monday night.

Most of the onlookers had probably protested against the development of the Morris & Wood offices when plans for the building were first proposed to the council. The development had caused outrage five years ago. Ad hoc meetings set up in cafés and school halls had been attended by angry residents from Lymington and beyond, who refused to allow such an eyesore to be built.

No one, they had said, wants to look across the Lymington River from the beautiful quay and see a monstrosity of a glass office staring back at them. Bloody Londoners, they had murmured among themselves. They are the problem, coming to the south coast from the city, taking over our town.