Firstly, much love and thanks to Kevin for your wonderful support, advice and good humour, and mostly for keeping me sane when things get hectic – I really couldn’t do this without you. Also, to Homer, whose clever antics gave me the inspiration for Barney!
To my family, Mam, Dad and especially Sharon, who – through phenomenal effort last summer – must have been single-handedly responsible for the majority of my book sales! To Amanda, who got away lightly last time, but who I know was with me in spirit.
This novel relates to the ups and downs of female friendship, and I’m lucky to have some great ones – thank you Maria, Fiona, Lisa, Breda and Aine for being so supportive through it all.
Once again, thanks to Ger Nichol, for guidance and endless encouragement. To Poolbeg – especially Paula, Brona and Lynda for making my first time out such an enjoyable experience, Sarah for Herculean publicity efforts, and Gaye for insightful editing and enthusiasm – working with you all is such a pleasure.
Many thanks to booksellers throughout the country for promotion, wonderful displays and great welcomes, and to my local bookshops – Bridge St Books, Wicklow; Eason, Clonmel; and particularly the Book Nook, Cashel, for tremendous support throughout the summer. Also, massive thanks to John and Carmel Dolan and all the staff of SuperValu, Cahir for promoting the book so enthusiastically – you have no idea how much I appreciate it. To friends and neighbours in both Tipp and Wicklow for lovely comments, good wishes and great support.
To all the journalists who were kind enough to give me and the book a mention, particularly Tony Butler in Tipp, and Lynne Glanville in Wicklow, and to the reviewers who said such nice things – thank you so much. Also, to Carol and Denis at Tipp FM for letting me natter away and take up so much airtime!
To fellow writers Clare Dowling and Mary Hosty for lovely dinners, all the Irish Girls for helpful chats and good craic, but particularly to Sarah Webb for invaluable advice and for being so welcoming to a first-timer.
To all those who shared their stories and provided me with the special insights that made this story possible. I am immensely grateful and hope I have done you justice.
Finally, a colossal thanks to everyone who has bought and read the book. With lots of fantastic books on the shelves, I’m amazed that so many people took a chance on an author they’d never heard of, and I very much appreciate it. Also, many thanks to those who sent lovely emails telling me how much they enjoyed it – I hope I managed to reply to you all. Hearing from readers is one of the most rewarding parts of being a writer, so please, drop me a line any time.