On that note, I’d like to thank my inimitable editor, Bethan Morgan. For believing in me, and this story, for understanding all of my niche Anne of Green Gables references, and for always being up for a natter about Hamilton. Bethan, your confidence in me has helped me grow in so many ways and I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough for everything you have done.

I’m also sending a huge heap of thanks to Bethany Davidson, Jen Rossall, Anthony Barrett, Ingrid Melle Åkernes, Leanne Downs and Lydia Crook and for letting me send you the first three chapters of this book way back in 2019, and for all of your brilliant, helpful feedback (and support, love and friendship ever since). I count my lucky stars every day to have such a lovely bunch of people in my life.

To the rest of my dearest friends who have plied me with coffee and cake and words of support and encouragement over the years, and who still miraculously want to hang out even after I disappear into a writing hole for months on end: Chelsea Coyne, Jessica Blake, Rosie Cunniffe, Beth Cocking and the entire Cooper family (aka my 2^nd family). You guys are the greatest.

Thank you to Adam Joice for being quite possibly the best boss the world has ever known. Your support at work, and your understanding during the stressful book weeks, has been invaluable. Also, sorry to Caroline Joice for how much this mention is going to inflate Adam’s ego… Will you ever forgive me?

To my incredible, long-suffering parents, thank you for everything and more. Mum, you read this book when it was in its most skeletal form and still believed in me and the story I wanted to write. Thanks for all the trips to National Trust properties and for all the time we’ve spent lost in period dramas. You have kept me sane and I couldn’t have done any of this without you. Dad, this will be your first time reading this book as you’ve been “saving it”! I hope it was worth the wait. Thank you for the fabulous midnight pub debates, for introducing me to the fantasy genre, and for being my biggest cheerleader. I promise I’ll read Magician soon. Honest.

Finally, to my better half, to the person who has motivated me, cheered me on every step of the way, the person who encouraged me to send this book out to publishers in the first place, the person who believes in me more than I ever could. Arron, you are my hero. You make me strive to be a better person every single day. Thanks for all the freshly baked loaves of bread and cups of coffee, for the words of encouragement and unfailing belief, and for dragging me outside for a bike ride or a dog walk, even when I insisted I didn’t need it. I always do, and you always know.