A few thoughts and more than a few thanks

A few thoughts and more than a few thanks

There were times when I thought I would never finish this book. Mum and Dad both died while I was writing it and I miss them more than I can say. But even in their final days they would always ask ‘How’s the book coming?’. Well, you guys, I got there in the end. Thank you for everything you sacrificed to make sure that my life was easier than yours and that I would have the opportunity and belief to follow my dreams. It took me a while, but I am so grateful that you lived long enough to share it with me.

Although I write fiction, I believe that for my stories to read authentically some elements must have their foundations in fact. Parts of this novel are based in the UK in the early 1970s, in a place and time where I grew up, and I have portrayed society as I remember it rather than how I would wish it to have been. The first legislation protecting individuals from discrimination on the grounds of race, gender and marital status had yet to come into force and I experienced first-hand the cultural, social and political climate that prevailed on the streets, in the playground, on the TV and radio and in the press. Society was openly racist and sexist, and attitudes and actions that were commonplace then, are painfully unpalatable and rightly condemned today. Motivated by the injustice I witnessed and experienced, I spent ten years of my previous career as a senior race and gender equality advisor, and then as Head of Diversity In Employment for a large local authority that provided a range of public services  to a racially diverse community. We have come a long way since then, but we still have a long way to go.

As always, I am indebted to the many people who support me. Thank you to Laura Macdougall, my brilliant agent and friend, for her wisdom and unstinting support. She is simply the best and I am lucky to have her. Thanks also to the whole team at United Agents for all their hard work and to Laura’s other authors (affectionately known as Team Laura) for their friendship and encouragement.

Once again, the lovely Lisa Highton has polished my words with her sensitive and skilful editing, and I thank her for her patience, humour, and kindly tolerance of my foibles. She’s an absolute brick (in the nicest, most elegant way). Thanks also to all the good people at Two Roads, particularly Alice Herbert, Jess Kim, and Emma Petfield, and to Cari Rosen for doing a splendid job of copyediting, and Amber Burlinson for proofreading. A special thank you to Sarah Christie who has designed my beautiful covers since the beginning and who worked with the amazing Jordan Bolton on our new look.