And the grass waved hello, bending in golden ribbons on across the plains. Come, they seemed to say. Come. For they were here, here among those herds of rousing Dead with nothing but the day and the wandering skies all around them, going on and on and on.

Acknowledgements

In addition to the acknowledgements already made in Wranglestone -

For their support championing Wranglestone during its initial publication, my thanks go to dear George, Daniel at Female First, Starburst magazine, Jim, Uli, and Erica at that most wonderful of emporiums, Gays the Word. Niall and Gary at Foyles Charing Cross, and Gary and Florentyna at Waterstones.

For rescuing Wranglestone from the pandemic so Peter & Cooper could go on to have a better shot at finding a wider readership, I extend my deepest gratitude to the 2020 Costa Book Award judges, John, Patrice and Alex, and to that most dedicated armada of booksellers at the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2021. I wouldn’t have had the strength to finish the boys’ story without the encouragement you gave me.

At Little Tiger - Lauren, Pip, George and Dannie, heartfelt thanks for your patience, trust in my work and for making the boys shine so brightly in this final outing.

Hannah - this marks the end of a journey that started for us way back in 2015. Thank you for being a friend and a mentor every step of the way.

To my editor, Lucy, who joined me for the last leg of this journey on Timberdark. Thank you. It’s been a blast and you’ve been wonderful.

To my illustrator, Karl. You’ve quite simply put Peter & Cooper’s story into so many more reader’s hands because of the nuance and wonder you’ve gifted both books. Thank you for making my dreams come true, your friendship and for inspiring me to do better. It’s been an honour.

About the Author

Darren Charlton was born on the South coast of England where he has returned, dividing his time between East Sussex and Kent where his partner lives. He studied English Literature and Theatre at De Montfort University and currently works part time for the NHS.

Darren’s first novel, Wranglestone, won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for older readers, was shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards and the YA Book Prize, and longlisted for the Branford Boase Award.

Follow him on Twitter @DarrenRCharlton