Many people have helped me bring this novel into the world. You can read some of their names in the list of sponsors online at Unbound. They are kind, generous, supportive friends, family and strangers, and without them this book would still be a file on a hard drive, a thing without a physical form, a mere possibility.

Thank you all for bringing it to life.

Several friends gave special help. First, Rob (R.S) Pateman, once a colleague, now a published author (read him, he’s brilliant), gave me a line by line critique of the early versions, and further perceptive comments and help throughout. His generosity with his time was extraordinary, and he pushed me to improve the novel again and again. Thank you, Rob. You are a wonderful friend.

Then Caroline Beard gave it her gimlet-eyed attention, spotting errors and making comments, all of which made it a better book. Thank you, Caroline. You have a remarkable mind, and would give Winifred a run for her money.

Chalice Croke read and read it again, giving me endless encouragement, and introduced me to Sarah Rayner (also a copywriter turned great author – read her, too) who with Chalice then gave me detailed ideas for marketing the book.

My editor, Mike Jones, made the book far better with his gentle, intelligent comments and guidance.

Anita Corey, my mother-in-law, was an inspiration and also found me my first US readers.

And for your comments, encouragement and support, thank you Kate Flather, Lu Dixon, Simon Robinson, Charlotte Childs, Christie Jennings, Laila Williamson, Margot Baldwin, Karen Wentworth, Vonnie Alexander, Nobby Davies, Dian Bazinet, Chris Chalmers (another copywriter turned author – read him) and Cathy Kitcatt. And thank you to Eva Feiler – amazing actor – for being Winifred on video.

And thank you Alice and Ellie Kitcatt for your love, support and comments; thank you William and Lula Kitcatt for your love; and thank you Ana Kitcatt, for your love, and everything you have done for me and we have done together over many years.

And Ana, thank you for your artist’s definition of art, borrowed by Margaret: ‘We use it to understand the world. And ourselves. To communicate with each other. To give ourselves joy, to experience heightened emotions and to transcend our earthly state.’

I have tried to live up to it.

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Patrons

Martin & Alice Brookes
Chris Chalmers
Clare Clarke
Sheila Howes
Johari Ismail
Alice Kitcatt
Alistair Macdonald
Ed Prichard
Lee Redfern
Mike Scott Thomson
Matt Willifer