Heartfelt thanks to my agent, and dear friend, Broo Doherty. I can’t imagine writing anything without your constant encouragement and counsel. Thanks also go to the team at DHH Literary Agency for cheerleading and good humour. Thank you to Lucy Atkins for helping me see a way through the story when it was looking very murky indeed and to Alexandra Benedict who was there with the right words and invaluable editorial advice when I was ready to throw the manuscript on the fire. Thanks to Sara Crane and Paul Swallow for your eagle eyes, and to Cosima Wagner and Sian Johnson, my early readers, for your encouragement and positive feedback. Thank you to Dieter Newell for generously supporting CLIC Sargent and bidding to name one of the characters.

While writing this book, and for various reasons, I relied tremendously on the friendship and camaraderie of fellow writers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all. I will remember every word of support, every joke and witticism, every nod of understanding and bolstering act of kindness. Special mention must go to those who were always on the end of the phone: Susi, Tammy, Clare, Hannah and Lucy. Thank you. And to Jenny who sent me her number and told me to call her at 7 in the morning whilst she stood in a motorway service station and basically sorted my head out.

Thank you, of course, to those who have read this book. You make it all worth while. Thank you to the bloggers. You give your time and passion to the support of books and writers you love and your tireless championing is greatly appreciated.

Lastly, my family. As ever a tower of strength. My sister. My parents (to whom this book is dedicated). My dog who kept my feet warm while writing. My cat who kept my lap warm at the same time. My three incredible daughters who make me so proud and always manage to put a smile on my face. And, then, my husband. Without you, lovely man, there would be no words. With all my love as ever.

About the Publisher

About the Publisher

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