Pete saw her smile and grinned back. ‘They look so great. Funny, isn’t it? I’d pretty much stopped noticing your scar, but now it’s gone, I can’t stop looking. They’re just hands, but…’

‘I know, me neither,’ said Meredith. ‘Although I still do have a scar.’ She traced the edges of a silvery hairline scar around the skin graft. ‘I like this one, though. It’s like a map showing new roads.’

Pete laughed. ‘That’s poetic. You should put it into a song.’

The plane’s engines thrust and roared, and the overhead lockers rattled as they left the ground with a lurch, neither of them speaking for a moment until the tension eased and they were above the clouds.

‘Maybe I will,’ said Meredith.

Acknowledgements

I owe huge thanks to all the following people:

Simon Alcock, Franco Ianelli and Chris Phillips – I definitely couldn’t write anything involving any sort of police procedure without all your invaluable help. Sorry for the random text questions and thank you so much for your patience and wisdom!

James Law, for giving up an afternoon to sit in a New Forest pub with me and help me brainstorm the plot after I got stuck.

John Freestone, for tidal information, and Pete Sortwell, for crucial research help back in the book’s early days.

Martin Toseland, for trying to help me work out my character’s motivations. With wine.

Karen Cocker, for giving up her time to help me with FLO procedures – any inaccuracies are either necessary for the plot, or are my own mistakes…

Helen Russell, for inspiration and background information on the life of the manager of a busy gift shop (and all the funny stories!).

Suzy Aitcheson, for planting the seed of inspiration that became Minstead House.

Elaine Burtenshaw and Marisa Rosato, for important plot assistance and hospitality over (top-quality) dinner on the Isle of Wight.

Amanda Hills, for assistance with boat terminology and insight into life on the river.

The Slice Girls, for support both practical and emotional: Susi Holliday, Steph Broadribb, AK Benedict, Alex Sokoloff (and the Hon Member, Harley Jane Kozak). My other lovely author friends, especially Marnie Riches, Amanda Jennings, Kat Diamond, Caroline Green, all the Killer Women, all the Team Orenda authors and of course all of CS, you know who you are…

The powerhouse that is Karen Sullivan, and everyone else who makes Team Orenda tick: West Camel, Max Okore, Anne Cater, Liz Barnsley, Cole Sullivan, Sophie Goodfellow and Mark Swan.

Finally, to all the amazing bloggers who have been so incredibly supportive and dedicated – your work is very much appreciated. And to anyone who’s ever read and enjoyed my books!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR