Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Jo Birch for giving me the invaluable benefit of his yachting expertise and for introducing me to the magnificent vessel, now moored in San Diego and known in this book as the Valhalla. My love and thanks also go to Richard and Tricia Strauss for rescuing me from Mexico and making my stay in San Diego such a happy and memorable experience.

To all my friends on the Côte d’Azur with whom I have shared so many wonderful summer madnesses.

Also I would like to thank everyone at Heinemann for their loyalty and support. And a very special thank you to my agent, Toby Eady, whose advice and friendship I wouldn’t be without.