Love to my personal coven – Kate Loftus O’Brien, Cecily Davey, Livia Franchini and G Bowie – for their endless support and witchiness. Kate and Cecily’s words have kept me going at difficult times. Thank you to Audry Bowie for her Caithness knowledge of whin bushes.

I was lucky to have two incredible friends who read multiple drafts from the beginning: Nick Cole-Hamilton and Christiana Spens. Their time, humour and kindness has been invaluable to me. Thank you.

Love to my wonderful parents, Annie and Steve, who decided to move to the Highlands when I was nine years old. Thank you for giving me some magical experiences. Their reading and continued support has meant everything to me.

Thank you to my amazing sister Charlotte, with all her positive energy. I’m so lucky to have her in my life.

Last, to Yassine, whom I can’t thank enough for navigating this journey with me, always having time to chat at any hour of day or night, cooking for me, putting up with my strange routines and questions, taking me off to a cottage on the west coast to finish the first draft and being there for me in every other way possible. I’m dedicating this book to you because it wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. Lots of love.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING

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