Chapters (66)

I start to tell him my story, from the beginning, from the moment Tim came into our lives to the moment I got away, only to meet Chris a few weeks later. It was as if fate had sent him to me, to save me, to save the life that was growing inside me. My little Daisy, who looks more like me than her father – but every so often I see it in the way she walks, the way she smiles and bares her teeth. Those volatile blue eyes that change colour with the weather, with her mood. Just because I now know her father is dead doesn’t mean it will be any easier for Chris to hear about who he was.

We drive up to one of the scenic coastal sites, overlooking the green fields that drop off into the sea, and when Chris reaches across to my seat and takes my hand I know it’s all going to be OK. We will get through this, together.

Acknowledgements

As I wrote this story I was reminded of my teenage antics in Sidmouth with my best friend at the time. We lost touch when we left school over twenty-five years ago. Midway through writing this book she contacted me after seeing my face on social media. She is also a published writer and I feel so grateful to be reunited with someone who was such a huge part of my life. Love you x

As always, thank you to the brilliant team at Avon Books, especially my editor Tilda, who has been so patient.

Secondly, thank you to everyone at Northbank Talent, particularly Hannah and Diane. It’s great to know you guys have my back.

Introvert hugs to all my crime writing friends. I don’t know what I would do without you.

Shout out to all the members of the online Facebook crime fiction group CRIME SUSPECT, your enthusiasm for the genre is very motivating!

Special thank you to all book bloggers, readers and reviewers. Your continued support means a great deal. I still read all my reviews and really appreciate everyone who takes the time to write one.

Thank you to my husband and my amazing children. You all mean the world to me.

Thanks to my sister Anna, my Auntie Marie and my cousin Jason for reading all my books.

Thank you to anyone I have missed, I know there are loads.