I kissed her again, breathing in the scent of my precious little girl.

‘You can blow out the candles, Bella.’

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WHEN I HAD MY FIRST BABY, I JOINED A MOTHERS’ GROUP WHICH turned into a playgroup. We shared our worries, our difficult moments and lots of fun. Sixteen years later, we’re still together. Thank you for your friendship, inspiration and encouragement: Caz, Donna, Kate, Kath, Jo, Linda, Louise, Nicky, Sarah and Teresa.

To my wonderful writers’ group—Frances Chapman, Catherine Hanrahan, Margaret Morgan and Katy Pike—thank you for reading numerous drafts. Thanks to Pamela Freeman and the Australian Writers’ Centre for bringing us together.

I appreciate those people who gave their valuable time to assist with my research, particularly on police, medical and educational matters: Ian, Rod, Beth, Gary, Toni, Yoland, Fiona and Louise.

Special thanks to my friends who provided advice on the manuscript: Christina Chipman, Ber Carroll, Liane Moriarty, Marisa Colonna, Nicole Davis and Madeleine Watson. And for those who gave such great support: Tash, Rachel, Louise, Joanna Galbraith, the Curtin mums and my book clubs.

Thanks to my mum, my mother-in-law, my siblings (Fiona, Icara, Hamish and Sha) and my extended family. To Jamie, Jeremy and Tia, thanks for everything—I love you to the moon and back.

I am also very grateful to my agent, Brian Cook, and my publisher, Annette Barlow, for their belief in this story. And, finally, thank you to Christa Munns and Ali Lavau for making it a better book, and to the fabulous team at Allen & Unwin.