I would like to thank my dear friend Julia Paton for her generous spirit, Jacky Bateman for her work on the manuscript without which I would be lost in the forest, and my new editor, Finn Cotton. It has been a pleasure to work with him. Grateful thanks to my agent Catherine Clarke, and to Lisa Milton for publishing this book.

Special thanks go to my daughter, Freya, whose wisdom and philosophy are second to none. She always sets me on the right path when the snow becomes too deep.

Sally Gardner

Hastings, June 2020

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