I didn’t know what would happen next. This day was a Jesus day for Mum, but the morrow could be a head day or a cross day. I didn’t know if Mum would continue to spend her days in bed, or whether Dad would return to coming home for tea and Cadbury’s on Friday nights. But I did know that although I’d lost my little Caleb, my big Daniel was home, and I knew Sixpence would be amazed when I introduced her to Mona.

And maybe, best of all, my mother and I were going shopping after Christmas. Just the two of us.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I’ve heard it said: New York, New York, so nice they named it twice. On that basis I must twice-name two people who are not only nice, but also talented and supportive, and without whom this book would not exist:

Samantha Sainsbury. Samantha Sainsbury.

Alex Craig. Alex Craig.

Expert editor that she is, Samantha helped me polish and develop an earlier version of this manuscript. I will remember with gratitude that it was children’s editor Elise Jones who found Samantha for me.

Courageous and talented publisher that she is, Alex Craig read that version and offered publication with Ultimo, a senior publisher in a house that is so right for me on every level.

It’s not true of many organisations that every staff member or contractor you meet under their brand is helpful, patient and passionate. But this has been my experience of Ultimo Press. Thanks to the whole team, including Robert Watkins, Brigid Mullane, Katherine Rajwar, and James Kellow. Thank you to Deonie Fiford for editing the final version, to Ronnie Scott for proofreading and to Christabella Designs for the cover, which my protagonist Dorcas says she ‘love, love, loves’.

Thank you to author Fiona McIntosh, who stopped me falling into darkness before the book-contract dawn. And a shout-out also to literary agent Jacinta di Mase, who for several years gave me little shots in the arm to keep me going.

Special thanks to new writer friends who have shared their knowledge, and who so generously continue to encourage and celebrate with me. In particular I acknowledge the support of Tassie writer Rhonda McCoy, and the BookGang crew who welcomed me into their debut authors’ group. Treasures, every one.

Thank you to all the friends, family and neighbours who for years practiced stifling a yawn when I felt the need to speak YET AGAIN about my ambitions to be published. In particular thanks to Dr David Waterford and Michael Lincoln, Brenda Kuhr and Nancy Wilson, Meg Barnett and Paul Arbon, and Taryn Schubert. I will always be grateful to the community with whom I have dinner once a month in the bucolic country hamlet we call home, and to so many of the clients of my management consulting firm who cheered me on tirelessly.

Thank you to my mother Margaret Palmer who is a natural story-teller.

And special thanks to the mysterious BeeMan, who makes me laugh every day.