Another huge, huge thank you goes to my agent, Camilla Bolton, who has been an absolute rock since before I even got a book contract. Not only is she brilliant at her job, she’s a black belt in calming my nerves and a great friend. Thank you to everyone at Darley Anderson too, who work so hard on my behalf, particularly Mary, Kristina and Georgia in Rights, Sheila in Film and TV, and Roya and Rosanna behind the scenes.

So much love is owed to my family, both here and in South Africa. In particular, Mum and Dad, who are wonderfully, endlessly supportive; Lucy, who I still owe for doing my French homework in Years 10 and 11; Sharlé, who – for ten years – has shown a remarkable tolerance for writerly meltdowns every night over dinner; and Erin, for whom my books come a very distant second to YouTube videos about guinea pigs.

And, finally, the biggest thank you of all goes to you, my amazing readers, for buying, borrowing, talking about and recommending my books. Without your support, I wouldn’t get to do what I love every day – and I promise that never, ever gets taken for granted.

THE BEGINNING

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