Emily, Anna and Lucy – what an absolute bunch of dudes; let’s keep laughing together. A special mention needs to go to Anna who read an early version, told me it wasn’t totally terrible and gave me that much needed vote of confidence to keep going. Emilia and Rahul, what great bunnies you are!! Shout-outs also go to: Natalie for my pink hair and the dinner – it’s a cooking show too; Hester and Fole; Nikki – thank goodness we reconnected, please thank your mum for me; Marloes for the Dutch name; Emily for the notes on the visual diary; Chris and Saoirse for some of your more awkward soundbites; Jamie for keeping Gill sane and supporting my crafting obsessions; Hannah, Flo, Gill and Rosie for the safe space; Paige for frequently over-sharing and being the inspiration for Penny (everyone needs a Penny) – I so hope that next year is your year. Thanks also to my American contingent, in particular the Barbarias, the Knotts, the Burleighs and the Franklins. Some wider family members also deserve a shout-out; the Clarkes who all amaze me with their enjoyment of life and never seem to mind when I invite myself along to their family gatherings; and a special mention to Kate McCulloch (who actually married IN to the madness) for being an early reader and title-thinker-upperer, whose only fault is getting too invested in the characters.

Of course, I owe a huge thank-you to my family, who have always been my loudest and most embarrassing supporters. James – thank you for always having my back; Juliet – thank you for showing me that it’s OK to have my own voice; DB – thank you for being a great landlord and providing me with protein-rich meals, wine and hugs when I needed them most; Dad – thank you for providing a safety net, without which I wouldn’t have had the courage to jump. I am also super lucky because James and Juliet massively married up. Alisa, thank you for being you and for being just as weird as I am (that’s meant to be a compliment). Tom, thank you for introducing us to the most violent and competitive card game in existence. And to my amazing nieces and nephews – Lleyton, Caleigh, Rosie and Charlie – your smiling faces make my heart sing. I love you guys a huge amount and am so excited that I get to witness your awesomeness.

But alas, the biggest thank-you of them all has to go to my amazing mum. Gilly, you have given me so much – friendship, laughs, support (emotional, physical and gastronomical), in good times, but more importantly also in the bad. I wouldn’t have half as many laugh lines on my face if it wasn’t for you. So thanks, I guess?? You are always there for me, and it is because of this that I have been able to fulfil so many of my dreams – thank you so very much. I love you mostly.