She smiled when she saw Augusta show Marcus Abdul’s picture in the paper. She knew her old psychologist was one of the few people who would be able to keep up. Augusta placed the paper back on the bench beneath her notebook and pencil. It was yellow with a red-capped end. It was only a matter of time before Dr Augusta Bloom saw the logic of joining them.

Seraphine wished Abdul luck with his meeting and then hung up and watched as Bloom and Jameson discussed Harry’s case. She’d done a little digging on the memory loss. She had someone in the secret service and they’d briefed her on the surgery. It made her even fonder of Captain Harry Peterson. Augusta was right: she had intended to make him disappear in Africa. But he’d impressed her with his bravery. Not all ‘normals’ were disappointing.

As Marcus finished his coffee, he said something that made Augusta’s posture shift, suddenly lighter and freer. Seraphine concentrated on the woman’s lips. And then she smiled.

‘Yes, Augusta,’ she said, putting her hands in her pockets and walking away. ‘Let’s start over.’

Acknowledgements

The difficult second book. It is a scary thing to look at a blank page and hope you might repeat the magic. Can I impress the publishers again? Can I please the readers again? There were moments of over-confidence and moments of despair. I simply had to keep writing and hold my nerve. Things I could not have done without the help of some truly awesome people.

First and foremost, huge thanks go to my editor Lizzy Goudsmit at Transworld. Along with Sharika Teelwah and copy-editor Sophie Wilson you honed my efforts into a story I feel very proud of. Your constant encouragement has been invaluable. I cannot thank you enough. You and the team at Transworld continue to make the whole publishing experience a pleasure to be part of.

My initial idea for this book – an explosion at a military ball – was based on the most fleeting of insights into the world of the UK’s Armed Forces. My challenge was to find an advisor patient enough to help an unknown writer re-create their world. I could not have found better than Lieutenant Commander Jamie Smithson of the Royal Navy. I thank you for your input, your challenge and your constant enthusiasm. You taught me much and I’m forever grateful for your help. I hope I have represented you and your colleagues well.